War Pigs — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

War Pigs uses the chords Eb, F#, G#, C# in the key of Eb. The progression follows a I–III–IV–VII pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Metal · 1970 · Intermediate

War Pigs

by Black Sabbath
Key of Eb 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of Eb · Progression: I–III–IV–VII

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

Practice Tips for War Pigs

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Eb→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 War Pigs by Black Sabbath

War Pigs (1970) is a intermediate-level metal song that uses 4 chords: Eb, F#, G#, C# in the key of Eb. The chord progression is I–III–IV–VII.

Chord Breakdown

  • Eb — major chord, bright and stable
  • F# — major chord, bright and stable
  • G# — major chord, bright and stable
  • C# — major chord, bright and stable

About War Pigs

"War Pigs" by Black Sabbath (released 1970) is one of the most recognizable metal 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 Eb, F#, G# creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning War Pigs as a Beginner

If you're learning to play War Pigs, 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)

Hotel California
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Advanced
Bm · 74 BPM
Viva La Vida
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Ab – Eb – Fm – Db
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Ab · 138 BPM
Bohemian Rhapsody
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Bb – Gm – Cm – F – Eb
Advanced
Bb · 72 BPM
A Thousand Years
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Bb – F – Gm – Eb
Beginner
Bb · 45 BPM
Tears in Heaven
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A – E – F#m – C# – D
Intermediate
A · 80 BPM
Clocks
Coldplay
Eb – Bb – Fm
Intermediate
Eb · 131 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

War Pigs by Black Sabbath — FAQ

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

What chords are in War Pigs by Black Sabbath?

War Pigs uses the chords Eb, F#, G#, C# in the key of Eb.

The progression follows a I–III–IV–VII pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is War Pigs in?

War Pigs by Black Sabbath is in the key of Eb.

The primary chords are Eb, F#, G#.

What is the tempo of War Pigs?

War Pigs 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 War Pigs use?

War Pigs 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 Eb chord on guitar?

Eb is the main chord in War Pigs.

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

Can I play War Pigs on piano?

Yes! War Pigs sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Eb, F#, G#, C# 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 War Pigs beginner-friendly?

War Pigs is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in War Pigs?

The main progression in War Pigs is Eb – F# – G# – C# (Roman numeral: I–III–IV–VII).

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

Can I transpose War Pigs to a different key?

Yes! War Pigs is in Eb.

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 War Pigs?

War Pigs by Black Sabbath is a Metal song from 1970.

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