Karma Police — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Karma Police uses the chords Am, F, G, Em in the key of Am. The progression follows a i–VI–VII–v pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Rock · 1997 · Intermediate

Karma Police

by Radiohead
Key of Am 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of Am · Progression: i–VI–VII–v

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

Practice Tips for Karma Police

  • →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 Karma Police by Radiohead

Karma Police (1997) is a intermediate-level rock song that uses 4 chords: Am, F, G, Em in the key of Am. The chord progression is i–VI–VII–v.

Chord Breakdown

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

About Karma Police

"Karma Police" by Radiohead (released 1997) 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 Am, F, G creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Karma Police as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Karma Police, 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
Beginner
C · 75 BPM
Wonderwall
Oasis
Em – G – D – A7sus4
Beginner
Em · 87 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
G – D – Am – C
Beginner
G · 72 BPM
Perfect
Ed Sheeran
G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
Hotel California
Eagles
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

Karma Police by Radiohead — FAQ

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

What chords are in Karma Police by Radiohead?

Karma Police uses the chords Am, F, G, Em in the key of Am.

The progression follows a i–VI–VII–v pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is Karma Police in?

Karma Police by Radiohead is in the key of Am.

The primary chords are Am, F, G.

What is the tempo of Karma Police?

Karma Police 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 Karma Police use?

Karma Police 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 Karma Police.

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

Can I play Karma Police on piano?

Yes! Karma Police sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Am, F, G, Em 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 Karma Police beginner-friendly?

Karma Police is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in Karma Police?

The main progression in Karma Police is Am – F – G – Em (Roman numeral: i–VI–VII–v).

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

Can I transpose Karma Police to a different key?

Yes! Karma Police 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 Karma Police?

Karma Police by Radiohead is a Rock song from 1997.

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