Sweet Home Chicago — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Sweet Home Chicago uses the chords E, A, B7 in the key of E. The progression follows a I–IV–V7 pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Blues · 1936 · Beginner

Sweet Home Chicago

by Robert Johnson
Key of E 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of E · Progression: I–IV–V7

E
chord 1
A
chord 2
B7
chord 3
Chord Loop
E — A — B7 — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
E
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
3
Genre
Blues

Practice Tips for Sweet Home Chicago

  • →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 Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson

Sweet Home Chicago (1936) is a beginner-level blues song that uses 3 chords: E, A, B7 in the key of E. The chord progression is I–IV–V7.

Chord Breakdown

  • E — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • B7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement

About Sweet Home Chicago

"Sweet Home Chicago" by Robert Johnson (released 1936) is one of the most recognizable blues songs ever recorded. Its 3-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of E, A, B7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Sweet Home Chicago as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Sweet Home Chicago, 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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Bm · 125 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson — FAQ

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

What chords are in Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson?

Sweet Home Chicago uses the chords E, A, B7 in the key of E.

The progression follows a I–IV–V7 pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

What key is Sweet Home Chicago in?

Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson is in the key of E.

The primary chords are E, A, B7.

What is the tempo of Sweet Home Chicago?

Sweet Home Chicago 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 Sweet Home Chicago use?

Sweet Home Chicago 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 Sweet Home Chicago.

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

Can I play Sweet Home Chicago on piano?

Yes! Sweet Home Chicago sounds great on piano.

Play the chords E, A, B7 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 Sweet Home Chicago beginner-friendly?

Yes! Sweet Home Chicago is rated Beginner difficulty.

It uses 3 main chords (E, A, B7), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.

What is the chord progression in Sweet Home Chicago?

The main progression in Sweet Home Chicago is E – A – B7 (Roman numeral: I–IV–V7).

This 3-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose Sweet Home Chicago to a different key?

Yes! Sweet Home Chicago 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 Sweet Home Chicago?

Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson is a Blues song from 1936.

Its 3-chord progression (E, A, B7) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.