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Rock · 1967 · Beginner

Brown Eyed Girl

by Van Morrison
Key of G150 BPMBeginner

Chord Sheet

Key of G · Progression: I–IV–V–vi

G
chord 1
C
chord 2
D
chord 3
Em
chord 4
Chord Loop
G — C — D — Em — ...
Key
G
Tempo
150 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

🎵 Practice Tips for Brown Eyed Girl

  • →Start at 75 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the G→C transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 150 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Brown Eyed Girl (1967) is a beginner-level rock song that uses 4 chords: G, C, D, Em in the key of G. The chord progression is I–IV–V–vi.

Chord Breakdown

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

About Brown Eyed Girl

"Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison (released 1967) 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 G, C, D creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Brown Eyed Girl as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Brown Eyed Girl, 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
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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
Stand By Me
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A – F#m – D – E
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Perfect
Ed Sheeran
G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
🎵 Metronome
Practice at 150 BPM
🎼 Tuner
Tune your instrument
🎹 Piano
Play on virtual piano
🎸 Guitar
Play on fretboard

FAQ

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison — FAQ

What chords are in Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison?
Brown Eyed Girl uses the chords G, C, D, Em in the key of G. The progression follows a I–IV–V–vi pattern. This is a beginner-level song.
What key is Brown Eyed Girl in?
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison is in the key of G. The primary chords are G, C, D.
What is the tempo of Brown Eyed Girl?
Brown Eyed Girl is played at approximately 150 BPM. This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 150 BPM.
What strumming pattern does Brown Eyed Girl use?
Brown Eyed Girl 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 G chord on guitar?
G is the main chord in Brown Eyed Girl. Place fingers on: 3rd fret 6th string (E), 2nd fret 5th string (A), 3rd fret 1st string (e).
Can I play Brown Eyed Girl on piano?
Yes! Brown Eyed Girl sounds great on piano. Play the chords G, C, D, 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 Brown Eyed Girl beginner-friendly?
Yes! Brown Eyed Girl is rated Beginner difficulty. It uses 4 main chords (G, C, D), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.
What is the chord progression in Brown Eyed Girl?
The main progression in Brown Eyed Girl is G – C – D – Em (Roman numeral: I–IV–V–vi). This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.
Can I transpose Brown Eyed Girl to a different key?
Yes! Brown Eyed Girl is in G. 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 Brown Eyed Girl?
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison is a Rock song from 1967. Its 4-chord progression (G, C, D, Em) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.