Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar Chords is one of the band’s most emotional and beginner-friendly songs to play on guitar. With a smooth chord progression and simple rhythm patterns, it’s perfect for acoustic players, live sessions, and practice. This guide covers everything you need: chords, strumming patterns, capo placement, and playing techniques—all structured to help you learn the song quickly and accurately.
Basic Chords Used in “Bad Liar”
“Bad Liar” is built around four simple chords that repeat throughout most of the song.
No advanced shapes are required, making it perfect for beginners.
Main Chord Progression:
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C
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Am
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F
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G
These four chords form a I–vi–IV–V progression, one of the most common emotional progressions in modern pop and indie music.
Why These Chords Work
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C major provides a stable, uplifting base.
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Am adds tension and emotional pull.
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F gives fullness and warmth.
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G builds energy and leads back into the loop.
Players can use open chords, barre chords, or power chord variations depending on their skill level.
Capo Placement and Key Options
The original recording of “Bad Liar” sits in a range that may be slightly high for some singers.
Guitarists typically use Capo on 1st fret to closely match the official sound.
Most common ways to play the song:
1. Capo 1 – Beginner Friendly (Recommended)
Chords stay simple:
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C – Am – F – G
2. No Capo – Standard Key (Also Works Well)
Play the same shapes, but pitch will differ slightly from the track.
3. Capo 5 – For Softer Acoustic Covers
Gives a lighter, airy tone.
Choosing the right capo placement depends mostly on vocal range and tone preference.
Strumming Pattern for the Song
The rhythm of “Bad Liar” focuses on a steady, emotional pulse.
A simple strumming pattern works perfectly.
Beginner Strumming Pattern (Most Popular):
D – D U – U D U
Meaning:
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Down
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Down-Up
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Up-Down-Up
This pattern fits nearly all verses and choruses.
Alternative Strumming Options
Players can try:
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Soft palm-muted downstrokes for verses
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Full strumming for choruses
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Fingerpicking patterns for emotional covers
The song is flexible and sounds great with multiple playing styles.
Chord Progression by Song Sections (No Lyrics)
Below is a safe, lyric-free breakdown of the chord progression.
This does not include copyrighted lyrics—only chords.
Intro
C – Am – F – G (repeat)
Verse Progression
C – Am – F – G (loop)
Pre-Chorus
C – Am – F – G
Chorus
C – Am – F – G (same progression, played with fuller strumming)
Bridge
The bridge keeps the emotional structure with:
Am – F – C – G
(Then returns to main progression)
Final Chorus
Same chords, often strummed with more intensity or dynamics.
This repeating chord loop makes the song easy to memorize and perform live.
Tips for Playing “Bad Liar” Smoothly
1. Keep Transitions Clean
Practice switching between C → Am and F → G—these are the trickiest jumps for beginners.
2. Use Simpler F Variations
Instead of full barre F, beginners can use:
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Fmaj7
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Easy F (xx3211)
3. Add Emotion With Dynamics
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Softer strums in verses
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Stronger strums in choruses
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Fingerpicking for intimate acoustic versions
4. Play Along With a Metronome
The song keeps a steady mid-tempo beat, so timing matters.
5. Experiment With Percussive Hits
Imagine Dragons songs often sound great with:
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muted strums
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taps on the guitar body
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rhythmic accents
These techniques add depth and realism to your cover.
Conclusion
Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar Chords is one of the easiest and most expressive songs to play on guitar. With only four chords, a simple strumming pattern, and flexible capo options, it’s perfect for beginners and rewarding for intermediate players. By understanding the chord progression, rhythm, and playing techniques, you can perform a beautiful acoustic or studio-style version of the song confidently.
