Pride and Joy — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Pride and Joy uses the chords E, A, B, A in the key of E. The progression follows a I–IV–V–IV pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Blues · 1983 · Intermediate

Pride and Joy

by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Key of E 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of E · Progression: I–IV–V–IV

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

Practice Tips for Pride and Joy

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the E→A 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 Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Pride and Joy (1983) is a intermediate-level blues song that uses 4 chords: E, A, B, A in the key of E. The chord progression is I–IV–V–IV.

Chord Breakdown

  • E — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • B — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable

About Pride and Joy

"Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan (released 1983) is one of the most recognizable blues 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 E, A, B creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Pride and Joy as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Pride and Joy, 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.

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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

Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan — FAQ

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

What chords are in Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan?

Pride and Joy uses the chords E, A, B, A in the key of E.

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

What key is Pride and Joy in?

Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan is in the key of E.

The primary chords are E, A, B.

What is the tempo of Pride and Joy?

Pride and Joy 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 Pride and Joy use?

Pride and Joy 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 E chord on guitar?

E is the main chord in Pride and Joy.

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

Can I play Pride and Joy on piano?

Yes! Pride and Joy sounds great on piano.

Play the chords E, A, B, 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 Pride and Joy beginner-friendly?

Pride and Joy is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in Pride and Joy?

The main progression in Pride and Joy is E – A – B – A (Roman numeral: I–IV–V–IV).

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

Can I transpose Pride and Joy to a different key?

Yes! Pride and Joy is in E.

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 Pride and Joy?

Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan is a Blues song from 1983.

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