A Case of You — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

A Case of You uses the chords D, G, Em, A in the key of D. The progression follows a I–IV–ii–V pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Folk · 1971 · Intermediate

A Case of You

by Joni Mitchell
Key of D 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of D · Progression: I–IV–ii–V

D
chord 1
G
chord 2
Em
chord 3
A
chord 4
Chord Loop
D — G — Em — A — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
D
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Folk

Practice Tips for A Case of You

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the D→G transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 120 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play A Case of You by Joni Mitchell

A Case of You (1971) is a intermediate-level folk song that uses 4 chords: D, G, Em, A in the key of D. The chord progression is I–IV–ii–V.

Chord Breakdown

  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • G — major chord, bright and stable
  • Em — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • A — major chord, bright and stable

About A Case of You

"A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell (released 1971) is one of the most recognizable folk songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of D, G, Em creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning A Case of You as a Beginner

If you're learning to play A Case of You, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

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Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

A Case of You by Joni Mitchell — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in A Case of You by Joni Mitchell?

A Case of You uses the chords D, G, Em, A in the key of D.

The progression follows a I–IV–ii–V pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is A Case of You in?

A Case of You by Joni Mitchell is in the key of D.

The primary chords are D, G, Em.

What is the tempo of A Case of You?

A Case of You is played at approximately 120 BPM.

This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 120 BPM.

What strumming pattern does A Case of You use?

A Case of You is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play D chord on guitar?

D is the main chord in A Case of You.

See our chord library for the D chord diagram with exact fingering.

Can I play A Case of You on piano?

Yes! A Case of You sounds great on piano.

Play the chords D, G, Em, A in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a intermediate-level arrangement.

Is A Case of You beginner-friendly?

A Case of You is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in A Case of You?

The main progression in A Case of You is D – G – Em – A (Roman numeral: I–IV–ii–V).

This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose A Case of You to a different key?

Yes! A Case of You is in D.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is A Case of You?

A Case of You by Joni Mitchell is a Folk song from 1971.

Its 4-chord progression (D, G, Em, A) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.