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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Guitar
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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Ukulele
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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Piano
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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Banjo
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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Mandolin
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Key
A
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
A · C#m · F#m · D · E · Bm
Africa Chords – Harmonica
Toto’s epic rock anthem with its iconic keyboard intro and African-inspired rhythms. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.
Rock Shuffle (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: This song has a distinctive shuffle feel. Accent the off-beats to capture the song’s groove. The chord progression is more complex than most rock songs.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
A – G
D – A
A – G
D – A
Verse 2
A – G
D – A
A – G
D – A
Chorus
D – E – A (×2)
D – E – F#m – D
E – A – D – E
Verse 3
A – G
D – A
A – G
D – A
Verse 4
A – G
D – A
Chorus
D – E – A (×2)
D – E – F#m – D
E – A – D – E
Final Chorus
D – E – A (×2)
D – E – F#m – D (×3)
E – A – D – E – A
Practice tip: The verse uses A-G-D-A, while the chorus switches to D-E-A and D-E-F#m. Practice the chorus progression separately — it’s the most memorable part of the song.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Africa"?
You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: A, C#m, F#m, D, E and Bm.
Is "Africa" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Africa" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Africa"?
It was written by David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, and released in 1982.