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Riptide Chords

Vance Joy Beginner Key of Am 3 Chords 2 min read

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Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Guitar Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Ukulele Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Piano Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Banjo Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Mandolin Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

Am Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · G · C

Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and major chords create a breezy, infectious groove.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: This song sounds great on both guitar and ukulele. The quick muted strum between chords gives it that percussive island vibe.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need Am, G, and C. Three of the most common open chords in music.

2

Get the tempo

This song moves quickly. The chord changes come fast — Am to G is only two beats. Practice the switches until they are instant.

3

Learn the pattern

The whole song is Am-G-C. Two beats on Am, two beats on G, four beats on C. This pattern repeats through verse and chorus.

4

Make it bounce

Add a slight mute between chords by lifting your fretting hand briefly. This percussive technique gives the song its characteristic bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Harmonica Version

Verse 1

Am G C

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Am G C

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Am G C

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Am G C

You’re the magician’s assistant in their dream

Chorus

Am G C

Oh lady, running down to the riptide

Am

Taken away to the dark side

G C

I wanna be your left-hand man

Practice tip: The Am-G transition is the trickiest since it comes so fast. Practice just Am-G-Am-G at full speed until it is completely automatic before adding the C.