Paint It Black — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Paint It Black uses the chords Em, C, D, G in the key of Em. The progression follows a i–VI–VII–III pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Rock · 1966 · Beginner

Paint It Black

by The Rolling Stones
Key of Em 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Em · Progression: i–VI–VII–III

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

Practice Tips for Paint It Black

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Em→C 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 Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones

Paint It Black (1966) is a beginner-level rock song that uses 4 chords: Em, C, D, G in the key of Em. The chord progression is i–VI–VII–III.

Chord Breakdown

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

About Paint It Black

"Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones (released 1966) is one of the most recognizable rock 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 Em, C, D creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Paint It Black as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Paint It Black, 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)

Let It Be
The Beatles
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 75 BPM
Wonderwall
Oasis
Em – G – D – A7sus4
Beginner
Em · 87 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
G – D – Am – C
Beginner
G · 72 BPM
Stand By Me
Ben E. King
A – F#m – D – E
Beginner
A · 76 BPM
Perfect
Ed Sheeran
G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones — FAQ

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

What chords are in Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones?

Paint It Black uses the chords Em, C, D, G in the key of Em.

The progression follows a i–VI–VII–III pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

What key is Paint It Black in?

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones is in the key of Em.

The primary chords are Em, C, D.

What is the tempo of Paint It Black?

Paint It Black 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 Paint It Black use?

Paint It Black 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 Em chord on guitar?

Em is the main chord in Paint It Black.

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

Can I play Paint It Black on piano?

Yes! Paint It Black sounds great on piano.

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

Is Paint It Black beginner-friendly?

Yes! Paint It Black is rated Beginner difficulty.

It uses 4 main chords (Em, C, D), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.

What is the chord progression in Paint It Black?

The main progression in Paint It Black is Em – C – D – G (Roman numeral: i–VI–VII–III).

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

Can I transpose Paint It Black to a different key?

Yes! Paint It Black is in Em.

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 Paint It Black?

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones is a Rock song from 1966.

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