Learn Coastline on the Acoustic Guitar—with Original Tuning!

Coastline by Hollow Coves is one of those songs that instantly makes you feel like you’re somewhere else—sun, sea air, wide open space, and that calm, reflective energy that only great acoustic songs seem to have. It is simple, emotional, and beautifully written—and that makes it perfect for learning and playing on the guitar.

In this lesson, we learn how to play the full song using a unique tuning that gives Coastline its dreamy, ethereal sound. We tune the guitar to C-G-D-G-G-D and then place a capo on the 7th fret, creating a lush, open-string texture that you can’t achieve in standard tuning. Don’t worry—everything is tuned down, so it is completely safe for your guitar, and it is a fantastic way to explore new sounds and new creative ideas.

Although the tuning may appear unusual, the left-hand shapes are actually quite simple. We use just three main chord shapes throughout most of the song, which means we can focus on tone, timing, and feel rather than complicated fingering. That makes this a great song for players who want to move beyond basic strumming and into more expressive acoustic playing.

The heart of the song is the fingerstyle pattern. We learn a steady, flowing picking pattern that remains consistent as the chords change, making it easier to build muscle memory and stay relaxed while playing. There is also an optional variation used in the second verse if you want to push a little further and add more movement to your playing.

In the chorus, we add a beautiful melodic riff that slides between notes, giving the song its emotional lift. We also briefly switch to finger-strumming, which creates a natural dynamic contrast between the gentle verses and the larger, more open chorus sections. Learning how to transition between picking and strumming in this manner is a significant step forward for expressive acoustic playing.

This song is perfect if you want to:

Explore alternate tunings
Improve your fingerstyle technique
Learn how to mix picking, riffs, and strumming
Play something that sounds rich, modern, and emotional without being overly complicated

If Coastline made you want to sit by the sea with an acoustic guitar and lose track of time, you are not alone. It is a beautiful song to play, sing, and really feel—and it is a great addition to any acoustic guitarist’s repertoire.

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