Rock, Folk

Ripple Chords

Grateful Dead Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Guitar

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Ukulele

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Piano

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Banjo

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Mandolin

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Am

Ripple Chords – Harmonica

One of the Grateful Dead’s most beautiful and accessible songs, “Ripple” from American Beauty is a gentle, acoustic folk gem. Simple chords and timeless poetry make it perfect for campfire guitar.

Folk Acoustic (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep it light and breezy. This is a gentle, happy song. A simple fingerpicking pattern works beautifully, or a light strum. Let it flow naturally like the “ripple in still water.”

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

G C

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung

G C

Would you hear my voice come through the music

G D G

Would you hold it near as it were your own

Chorus

Am D

Ripple in still water

G C

When there is no pebble tossed

Am D

Nor wind to blow

Verse 2

G C

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty

G C

If your cup is full may it be again

G C

Let it be known there is a fountain

G D G

That was not made by the hands of men

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ripple"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Am.

Is "Ripple" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ripple" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ripple"?

It was written by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and released in 1970.