Big Yellow Taxi — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Big Yellow Taxi uses the chords D, G, A, Em in the key of D. The progression follows a I–IV–V–ii pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Folk · 1970 · Beginner

Big Yellow Taxi

by Joni Mitchell
Key of D 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of D · Progression: I–IV–V–ii

D
chord 1
G
chord 2
A
chord 3
Em
chord 4
Chord Loop
D — G — A — Em — ...
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 Big Yellow Taxi

  • →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 Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell

Big Yellow Taxi (1970) is a beginner-level folk song that uses 4 chords: D, G, A, Em in the key of D. The chord progression is I–IV–V–ii.

Chord Breakdown

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

About Big Yellow Taxi

"Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell (released 1970) 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, A creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Big Yellow Taxi as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Big Yellow Taxi, 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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Perfect
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C · 68 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Big Yellow Taxi 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 Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell?

Big Yellow Taxi uses the chords D, G, A, Em in the key of D.

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

What key is Big Yellow Taxi in?

Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell is in the key of D.

The primary chords are D, G, A.

What is the tempo of Big Yellow Taxi?

Big Yellow Taxi 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 Big Yellow Taxi use?

Big Yellow Taxi 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 Big Yellow Taxi.

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

Can I play Big Yellow Taxi on piano?

Yes! Big Yellow Taxi sounds great on piano.

Play the chords D, G, A, Em 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 Big Yellow Taxi beginner-friendly?

Yes! Big Yellow Taxi is rated Beginner difficulty.

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

What is the chord progression in Big Yellow Taxi?

The main progression in Big Yellow Taxi is D – G – A – Em (Roman numeral: I–IV–V–ii).

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

Can I transpose Big Yellow Taxi to a different key?

Yes! Big Yellow Taxi 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 Big Yellow Taxi?

Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell is a Folk song from 1970.

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