Bluegrass

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Intermediate Key of G 3 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Guitar

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Ukulele

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Piano

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Banjo

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Mandolin

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Harmonica

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Em · D

Foggy Mountain Breakdown Chords – Violin

Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.

Scruggs Style 3-Finger

1

Tip: This is an instrumental. The right hand uses the Scruggs three-finger roll pattern: thumb, index, middle in a continuous forward roll.

Lyrics & Chords

Chord Chart (Instrumental)

Main Theme

G

(forward roll pattern — 8 bars)

Em

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

D

(4 bars)

G

(4 bars)

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 3 chords in the key of G: G Em D. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

You need 3 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Em and D.

Is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"?

It was written by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.