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R&B · 1961 · Beginner

Stand By Me

by Ben E. King
Key of A76 BPMBeginner

Chord Sheet

Key of A · Progression: I–vi–IV–V

A
chord 1
F#m
chord 2
D
chord 3
E
chord 4
Chord Loop
A — F#m — D — E — ...
Key
A
Tempo
76 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
R&B

🎵 Practice Tips for Stand By Me

  • →Start at 38 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the A→F#m transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 76 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Stand By Me (1961) is a beginner-level r&b song that uses 4 chords: A, F#m, D, E in the key of A. The chord progression is I–vi–IV–V.

Chord Breakdown

  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • F#m — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • E — major chord, bright and stable

About Stand By Me

"Stand By Me" by Ben E. King (released 1961) is one of the most recognizable r&b 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 A, F#m, D creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Stand By Me as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Stand By Me, 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.

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Practice at 76 BPM
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FAQ

Stand By Me by Ben E. King — FAQ

What chords are in Stand By Me by Ben E. King?
Stand By Me uses the chords A, F#m, D, E in the key of A. The progression follows a I–vi–IV–V pattern. This is a beginner-level song.
What key is Stand By Me in?
Stand By Me by Ben E. King is in the key of A. The primary chords are A, F#m, D.
What is the tempo of Stand By Me?
Stand By Me is played at approximately 76 BPM. This slow tempo is great for beginners to focus on chord transitions. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 76 BPM.
What strumming pattern does Stand By Me use?
Stand By Me 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 A chord on guitar?
A is the main chord in Stand By Me. See our chord library for the A chord diagram with exact fingering.
Can I play Stand By Me on piano?
Yes! Stand By Me sounds great on piano. Play the chords A, F#m, D, E 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 Stand By Me beginner-friendly?
Yes! Stand By Me is rated Beginner difficulty. It uses 4 main chords (A, F#m, D), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.
What is the chord progression in Stand By Me?
The main progression in Stand By Me is A – F#m – D – E (Roman numeral: I–vi–IV–V). This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.
Can I transpose Stand By Me to a different key?
Yes! Stand By Me is in A. 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 Stand By Me?
Stand By Me by Ben E. King is a R&B song from 1961. Its 4-chord progression (A, F#m, D, E) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.