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Rock · 1992 · Advanced

Under the Bridge

by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Key of D72 BPMAdvanced

Chord Sheet

Key of D · Progression: Complex

D
chord 1
F#
chord 2
E
chord 3
A
chord 4
G
chord 5
Em
chord 6
Bm
chord 7
Chord Loop
D — F# — E — A — G — Em — Bm — ...
Key
D
Tempo
72 BPM
Chords
7
Genre
Rock

🎵 Practice Tips for Under the Bridge

  • →Start at 36 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the D→F# transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 72 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Under the Bridge (1992) is a advanced-level rock song that uses 7 chords: D, F#, E, A, G, Em, Bm in the key of D. The chord progression is Complex.

Chord Breakdown

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

About Under the Bridge

"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers (released 1992) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 7-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of D, F#, E creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Under the Bridge as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Under the Bridge, 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
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Em – G – D – A7sus4
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Em · 87 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
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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 72 BPM
🎼 Tuner
Tune your instrument
🎹 Piano
Play on virtual piano
🎸 Guitar
Play on fretboard

FAQ

Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers — FAQ

What chords are in Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Under the Bridge uses the chords D, F#, E, A, G, Em, Bm in the key of D. The progression follows a Complex pattern. This is a advanced-level song.
What key is Under the Bridge in?
Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers is in the key of D. The primary chords are D, F#, E.
What is the tempo of Under the Bridge?
Under the Bridge is played at approximately 72 BPM. This slow tempo is great for beginners to focus on chord transitions. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 72 BPM.
What strumming pattern does Under the Bridge use?
Under the Bridge 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 D chord on guitar?
D is the main chord in Under the Bridge. See our chord library for the D chord diagram with exact fingering.
Can I play Under the Bridge on piano?
Yes! Under the Bridge sounds great on piano. Play the chords D, F#, E, A, G, Em, Bm in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a advanced-level arrangement.
Is Under the Bridge beginner-friendly?
Under the Bridge is rated Advanced difficulty. This song demands significant experience with barre chords and complex patterns.
What is the chord progression in Under the Bridge?
The main progression in Under the Bridge is D – F# – E – A – G – Em – Bm (Roman numeral: Complex). This 7-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.
Can I transpose Under the Bridge to a different key?
Yes! Under the Bridge is in D. 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 Under the Bridge?
Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a Rock song from 1992. Its 7-chord progression (D, F#, E, A, G, Em, Bm) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.