Skinny Love — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Skinny Love uses the chords Am, F, C, G in the key of Am. The progression follows a i–VI–III–VII pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Alternative · 2007 · Beginner

Skinny Love

by Bon Iver
Key of Am 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Am · Progression: i–VI–III–VII

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

Practice Tips for Skinny Love

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Am→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 Skinny Love by Bon Iver

Skinny Love (2007) is a beginner-level alternative song that uses 4 chords: Am, F, C, G in the key of Am. The chord progression is i–VI–III–VII.

Chord Breakdown

  • Am — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • F — major chord, bright and stable
  • C — major chord, bright and stable
  • G — major chord, bright and stable

About Skinny Love

"Skinny Love" by Bon Iver (released 2007) is one of the most recognizable alternative 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 Am, F, C creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Skinny Love as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Skinny Love, 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
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C · 75 BPM
Wonderwall
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Em – G – D – A7sus4
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Knockin' on Heaven's Door
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G – D – Am – C
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G · 72 BPM
Perfect
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G – Em – C – D
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G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
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C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
Hotel California
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Bm – F# – A – E – G – D – Em
Advanced
Bm · 74 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Skinny Love by Bon Iver — FAQ

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

What chords are in Skinny Love by Bon Iver?

Skinny Love uses the chords Am, F, C, G in the key of Am.

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

What key is Skinny Love in?

Skinny Love by Bon Iver is in the key of Am.

The primary chords are Am, F, C.

What is the tempo of Skinny Love?

Skinny Love 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 Skinny Love use?

Skinny Love 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 Am chord on guitar?

Am is the main chord in Skinny Love.

For Am: 2nd fret 4th string, 2nd fret 3rd string, 1st fret 2nd string. Others open.

Can I play Skinny Love on piano?

Yes! Skinny Love sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Am, F, C, 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 Skinny Love beginner-friendly?

Yes! Skinny Love is rated Beginner difficulty.

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

What is the chord progression in Skinny Love?

The main progression in Skinny Love is Am – F – C – G (Roman numeral: i–VI–III–VII).

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

Can I transpose Skinny Love to a different key?

Yes! Skinny Love is in Am.

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 Skinny Love?

Skinny Love by Bon Iver is a Alternative song from 2007.

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