how to play plush on guitar

Mastering Plush on Guitar: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Nicole KingDecember 21, 2025

Ever found yourself captivated by the soft, soothing sounds of a guitar, wishing you could replicate them? Learning to play "Plush" by Miley Cyrus on the guitar is an excellent starting point for beginners, offering a blend of simplicity and charm. Let's dive into a step-by-step guide to help you master this popular track.

Before we begin, ensure you have a guitar tuned to standard tuning (EADGBE), a pick for strumming, and a willingness to practice. Now, let's get started!

Understanding the Song Structure

"Plush" is a verse-chorus song, making it easy to grasp for beginners. Familiarizing yourself with the structure will help you stay on track as you learn.

Guitar Lesson: How To Play Plush - Acoustic - by Stone Temple Pilots

The song follows this pattern: Verse - Pre-Chorus - Chorus - Verse - Pre-Chorus - Chorus - Verse - Chorus. Let's break down each section.

Verse

The verse is played using a simple I-V-vi-IV chord progression. In the key of G, these chords are G, D, Em, and C.

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Strumming pattern: Down-Down-Down-Down (DDDD) works well for the verse. Practice switching between chords smoothly to maintain the rhythm.

Pre-Chorus

The pre-chorus introduces a new chord, Am, and uses a I-V-vi-IV progression with a slight variation: G - D - Em - C - G.

Strumming pattern: Down-Down-Up-Down (DDUD) creates a subtle change in rhythm, signaling the transition to the chorus.

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Stone Temple Pilots - Plush - Guitar Lesson - STP

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Mastering the Chords

To play "Plush," you'll need to know four basic open chords: G, D, Em, and C. Let's briefly review each.

G Major

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the low E string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string. Strum all strings except the low E.

D Major

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum all strings.

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I was rly proud when I got this 😁😁 sorry for the bad quality

a person holding a pink guitar with the caption'practice this song daily '

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a man is playing an acoustic guitar in his living room with the caption, this is how i'm learning guitar bw

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Stone Temple Pilots - Plush - Rhythm Guitar Lesson

Em

Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the A string. Strum all strings except the low E.

C Major

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Strum all strings except the low E.

Practicing and Performing

Once you're comfortable with the chords and strumming patterns, it's time to put it all together. Start slow and focus on accuracy, then gradually increase your speed.

Tips for Improving

Record yourself playing and listen back to identify areas for improvement. Practice consistently, even if it's just for a few minutes each day. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the learning process!

As you grow more confident, consider experimenting with dynamics, adding simple embellishments, or even trying out the song on other instruments. Happy playing, and remember, every expert was once a beginner. Keep practicing, and you'll be strumming "Plush" like a pro in no time!