Eye of the Tiger — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Eye of the Tiger uses the chords Cm, Ab, Bb, Fm in the key of Cm. The progression follows a i–VI–VII–iv pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Rock · 1982 · Beginner

Eye of the Tiger

by Survivor
Key of Cm 109 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Cm · Progression: i–VI–VII–iv

Cm
chord 1
Ab
chord 2
Bb
chord 3
Fm
chord 4
Chord Loop
Cm — Ab — Bb — Fm — ...
Key
Cm
Tempo
109 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

Practice Tips for Eye of the Tiger

  • →Start at 55 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Cm→Ab transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 109 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Eye of the Tiger (1982) is a beginner-level rock song that uses 4 chords: Cm, Ab, Bb, Fm in the key of Cm. The chord progression is i–VI–VII–iv.

Chord Breakdown

  • Cm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Ab — major chord, bright and stable
  • Bb — major chord, bright and stable
  • Fm — minor chord, darker emotional sound

About Eye of the Tiger

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (released 1982) is one of the most recognizable rock 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 Cm, Ab, Bb creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Eye of the Tiger as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Eye of the Tiger, 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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Intermediate
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Hey Jude
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Bohemian Rhapsody
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Bb – Gm – Cm – F – Eb
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A Thousand Years
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Bb – F – Gm – Eb
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Bb · 45 BPM
Smells Like Teen Spirit
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F – Bb – Ab – Db
Beginner
F · 116 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 109 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor — FAQ

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

What chords are in Eye of the Tiger by Survivor?

Eye of the Tiger uses the chords Cm, Ab, Bb, Fm in the key of Cm.

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

What key is Eye of the Tiger in?

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor is in the key of Cm.

The primary chords are Cm, Ab, Bb.

What is the tempo of Eye of the Tiger?

Eye of the Tiger is played at approximately 109 BPM.

This moderate tempo is comfortable for intermediate players. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 109 BPM.

What strumming pattern does Eye of the Tiger use?

Eye of the Tiger 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 Cm chord on guitar?

Cm is the main chord in Eye of the Tiger.

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

Can I play Eye of the Tiger on piano?

Yes! Eye of the Tiger sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Cm, Ab, Bb, Fm 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 Eye of the Tiger beginner-friendly?

Yes! Eye of the Tiger is rated Beginner difficulty.

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

What is the chord progression in Eye of the Tiger?

The main progression in Eye of the Tiger is Cm – Ab – Bb – Fm (Roman numeral: i–VI–VII–iv).

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

Can I transpose Eye of the Tiger to a different key?

Yes! Eye of the Tiger is in Cm.

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 Eye of the Tiger?

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor is a Rock song from 1982.

Its 4-chord progression (Cm, Ab, Bb, Fm) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.