Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Guitar
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Ukulele
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Piano
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Banjo
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Mandolin
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · C · G · F
Dear John Chords – Harmonica
Taylor Swift’s poignant ballad about a regretful relationship with an older man. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, but these chords are written for open position in C.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
Chorus
F
C
G
F
C
G
F
C
Verse 2
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
Chorus
F
C
G
F
C
G
F
C
Bridge
Am
F
Am
F
C
G
Chorus
F
C
G
F
C
G
F
C
Outro
C
G
Am
F
C
G
Am
F
C
G
Am
F
Practice tip: Focus on the steady, even strum pattern throughout the long verses, and let the emotional intensity come from your vocal delivery rather than speeding up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Dear John"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.
Is "Dear John" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Dear John" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Dear John"?
It was written by Taylor Swift, and released in 2010.