The Thrill Is Gone — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

The Thrill Is Gone uses the chords Bm, F#, Em, Bm in the key of Bm. The progression follows a i–V–iv–i pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Blues · 1969 · Intermediate

The Thrill Is Gone

by B.B. King
Key of Bm 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of Bm · Progression: i–V–iv–i

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

Practice Tips for The Thrill Is Gone

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Bm→F# 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 The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King

The Thrill Is Gone (1969) is a intermediate-level blues song that uses 4 chords: Bm, F#, Em, Bm in the key of Bm. The chord progression is i–V–iv–i.

Chord Breakdown

  • Bm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • F# — major chord, bright and stable
  • Em — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Bm — minor chord, darker emotional sound

About The Thrill Is Gone

"The Thrill Is Gone" by B.B. King (released 1969) 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 Bm, F#, Em creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning The Thrill Is Gone as a Beginner

If you're learning to play The Thrill Is Gone, 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

The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King — FAQ

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

What chords are in The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King?

The Thrill Is Gone uses the chords Bm, F#, Em, Bm in the key of Bm.

The progression follows a i–V–iv–i pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is The Thrill Is Gone in?

The Thrill Is Gone by B.

B. King is in the key of Bm. The primary chords are Bm, F#, Em.

What is the tempo of The Thrill Is Gone?

The Thrill Is Gone 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 The Thrill Is Gone use?

The Thrill Is Gone 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 Bm chord on guitar?

Bm is the main chord in The Thrill Is Gone.

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

Can I play The Thrill Is Gone on piano?

Yes! The Thrill Is Gone sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Bm, F#, Em, Bm 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 The Thrill Is Gone beginner-friendly?

The Thrill Is Gone is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in The Thrill Is Gone?

The main progression in The Thrill Is Gone is Bm – F# – Em – Bm (Roman numeral: i–V–iv–i).

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

Can I transpose The Thrill Is Gone to a different key?

Yes! The Thrill Is Gone is in Bm.

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 The Thrill Is Gone?

The Thrill Is Gone by B.

B. King is a Blues song from 1969. Its 4-chord progression (Bm, F#, Em, Bm) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.