C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Guitar
C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Ukulele
C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Piano
C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Banjo
C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Mandolin
C#mtap to play
F#mtap to play
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
Key
C#
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
C#m · F#m · E · A · B
Thriller Chords – Harmonica
Michael Jackson’s iconic pop masterpiece about a night of supernatural terror. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: This song has a driving, funky groove. Keep your strums tight and percussive, and mute the strings slightly on the upstrokes for that classic ’80s pop feel.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
C#m – F#m – E
A – C#m – F#m
E – A
C#m – F#m – E – A
Chorus
C#m – F#m – E – A (×4)
Verse 2
C#m – F#m – E
A – C#m – F#m
E – A
C#m – F#m – E – A
Chorus
C#m – F#m – E – A (×4)
Bridge
E – A – C#m
F#m – E – A
E – A
Spoken Word
C#m
F#m – E
A
C#m – F#m
E
A
C#m – F#m
E – A
Chorus
C#m – F#m – E – A (×5)
Outro
C#m – F#m – E – A (×7)
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Thriller"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C#m, F#m, E, A and B.
Is "Thriller" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C#, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Thriller" in?
It is in the key of C#.
Who wrote "Thriller"?
It was written by Rod Temperton, and released in 1982.