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Rock · 1964 · Intermediate

House of the Rising Sun

by The Animals
Key of Am105 BPMIntermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of Am · Progression: i–III–IV–VI–V

Am
chord 1
C
chord 2
D
chord 3
F
chord 4
E
chord 5
Chord Loop
Am — C — D — F — E — ...
Key
Am
Tempo
105 BPM
Chords
5
Genre
Rock

🎵 Practice Tips for House of the Rising Sun

  • →Start at 53 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Am→C transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 105 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play House of the Rising Sun by The Animals

House of the Rising Sun (1964) is a intermediate-level rock song that uses 5 chords: Am, C, D, F, E in the key of Am. The chord progression is i–III–IV–VI–V.

Chord Breakdown

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

About House of the Rising Sun

"House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals (released 1964) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 5-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Am, C, D creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning House of the Rising Sun as a Beginner

If you're learning to play House of the Rising Sun, 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
Stand By Me
Ben E. King
A – F#m – D – E
Beginner
A · 76 BPM
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 105 BPM
🎼 Tuner
Tune your instrument
🎹 Piano
Play on virtual piano
🎸 Guitar
Play on fretboard

FAQ

House of the Rising Sun by The Animals — FAQ

What chords are in House of the Rising Sun by The Animals?
House of the Rising Sun uses the chords Am, C, D, F, E in the key of Am. The progression follows a i–III–IV–VI–V pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.
What key is House of the Rising Sun in?
House of the Rising Sun by The Animals is in the key of Am. The primary chords are Am, C, D.
What is the tempo of House of the Rising Sun?
House of the Rising Sun is played at approximately 105 BPM. This moderate tempo is comfortable for intermediate players. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 105 BPM.
What strumming pattern does House of the Rising Sun use?
House of the Rising Sun 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 House of the Rising Sun. For Am: 2nd fret 4th string, 2nd fret 3rd string, 1st fret 2nd string. Others open.
Can I play House of the Rising Sun on piano?
Yes! House of the Rising Sun sounds great on piano. Play the chords Am, C, D, F, E 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 House of the Rising Sun beginner-friendly?
House of the Rising Sun is rated Intermediate difficulty. The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.
What is the chord progression in House of the Rising Sun?
The main progression in House of the Rising Sun is Am – C – D – F – E (Roman numeral: i–III–IV–VI–V). This 5-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.
Can I transpose House of the Rising Sun to a different key?
Yes! House of the Rising Sun 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 House of the Rising Sun?
House of the Rising Sun by The Animals is a Rock song from 1964. Its 5-chord progression (Am, C, D, F, E) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.