Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Guitar
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Ukulele
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Piano
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Banjo
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Mandolin
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Chords
G · D · Em · Am · C
American Pie Chords – Harmonica
Don McLean’s epic, 8-minute rock and roll odyssey. One of the most iconic songs in American music history.
Folk-Rock Anthem (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
G D Em Am
A long, long time ago, I can still remember
C Em D
How that music used to make me smile
G D Em
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
That I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
Chorus
G C G D
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
G C G D
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
C D
This’ll be the day that I die
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 5 chords in the key of G: G D Em Am C. Get each shape clean on its own first.
2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.
3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.
4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.
Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Pie"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, D, Em, Am and C.
Is "American Pie" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Pie" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "American Pie"?
It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.