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Rihanna - California King Bed Chords

ChordsG, C, D, Em, Am
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D,A keys to play this song with easier chords.

GCGCGCGD
GChesttoCchest
GNosetoCnose
GPalmtoCpalm
WewereGalwaysjustDthatclose
GWristtoCwrist
GToetoCtoe
GLipsthatCfeltjustliketheGinsideofaDrose
EmSohowcomewhenCIreachoutmyEmfinger
EmItfeelslikemoreCthandistance GbetweenDus
InthisGCaliforniakingDbed
We’retenEmthousandmilesCapart
I’vebeenGCaliforniaDwishingontheseEmstars
ForyourheartforCme
MyCaliforniaGking
GEyetoCeye
GCheektoCcheek
GSidebyCside
YouwereGsleepingnexttoDme
GArminCarm
GDusktoCdawn
WiththeGcurtainsCdrawn
AndalittlelastGnightontheseDsheets
GJustwhenIfeltlikegivinguponus
DYouturnedaroundandgavemeonelasttouch
GThatmadeeverythingCfeelbetter
EmAndeventhenmyeyesDgotwetter
CSoconfusedwannaaskyouifyouloveme
ButIdon’twannaseemsoweak
DMaybeGI’vebeenAmCaliforniaCdreaming
ArtistRihanna
AlbumLoud
GenresPop, Reggae
Year2011
KeyG
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play California King Bed on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Rihanna - California King Bed on guitar requires 5 chords and 7 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

California King Bed uses these transitions most often: C → G (18), G → C (16), and G → D (9). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - C chord transition.

1. G → C chord transition

Switching from G to C:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 16 times.

G to C

2. G → D chord transition

Here's how to move from G to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 9 times.

G to D

3. D → Em chord transition

To move from D to Em:

  1. While playing D, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Lift your middle finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

D to Em

4. Em → C chord transition

Here's how to move from Em to C:

  1. Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  2. Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 3.
  3. Place index finger on B string fret 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

Em to C

5. D → C chord transition

Switching from D to C:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

6. G → Am chord transition

Here's how to move from G to Am:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse.

7. Am → C chord transition

Switching from Am to C:

  1. Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in California King Bed.

  • California King Bed includes 66 chord transitions, 7 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • California King Bed contains 6 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how California King Bed connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → D: 24%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → D: 11%