Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Guitar
Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Ukulele
Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Piano
Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Banjo
Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Mandolin
Btap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
F#tap to play
Key
B
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
B · E · A · F#
Scarlet Begonias Chords – Harmonica
A classic Grateful Dead song about a chance encounter with a free-spirited woman. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.
Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: This song has a laid-back, rolling feel; accent the upstrokes lightly to keep it groovy.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
B – F# – E (×4)
F# – E – B – F#
E – B
Chorus
F# – E – B (×4)
Verse 2
B – F# – E (×4)
F# – E – B – F#
E – B
Chorus
F# – E – B (×4)
Verse 3
B – F# – E (×4)
F# – E – B – F#
E – B
Chorus
F# – E – B (×4)
Bridge
E – F# – B (×6)
Verse 4
B – F# – E (×3)
B – F# – E – B
F# – E – B – F#
E – B
Chorus
F# – E – B (×4)
Practice tip: The B to F# to E chord progression is the core of this song; drill those changes until they feel effortless before adding the lyrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Scarlet Begonias"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: B, E, A and F#.
Is "Scarlet Begonias" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of B, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Scarlet Begonias" in?
It is in the key of B.
Who wrote "Scarlet Begonias"?
It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1974.