Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train Chords
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 key to play this song with easier chords.
How to play Freight Train on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train on guitar requires 4 chords and 4 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.
Freight Train uses these transitions most often: C → G7 (11), G7 → C (11), and E7 → F (7). 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 E7 - F chord transition.
1. E7 → F chord transition
Here's how to move from E7 to F:
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 7 times.
2. F → C chord transition
Here's how to move from F to C:
- While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 7 times.
3. C → G7 chord transition
Switching from C to G7:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 1.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 11 times.
4. C → E7 chord transition
Here's how to move from C to E7:
- While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 6 times.
Freight Train chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Freight Train.
- Freight Train includes 42 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Freight Train contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Freight Train connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G7: 2%
- C → E7: 1%
After G7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).- G7 → C: 69%