Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes Chords

ChordsF, Bb, C7, C

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,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

FLittleboxesontheFhillside,

littleBbboxesmadeofFtickytacky

LittleFboxesontheC7hillside,

littleFboxesalltheC7same,.

TheresaFgreenone,aFpinkone

andaBbblueone,aFyellowone

AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky

andtheyFalllookC7justtheFsame.

AndtheFpeopleintheFhousesallBbwenttothe Funiversity

andtheyFallgetputinC7boxes,littleFboxes,alltheC7same.

Andthere’sFdoctors,there’sFlawyersandBbbusiness Fexecutives

AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky,

andtheyFalllookC7justtheFsame.

AndtheyFallplayontheFgolfcourse,andBbdrinktheir Fmartinisdry

AndtheyFallhaveprettyC7childrenandtheFchildrengotoC7school,

AndtheFchildrengotoFsummercampandBbthentothe Funiversity

WheretheyFallgetputinC7boxes

andtheyFcomeoutalltheFsame.

AndtheFboysgointoFbusinessandBbmarry,raiseaFfamily

AndtheyFallgetputinC7boxes,littleFboxes,alltheC7same,

TheresaFpinkone,aFgreenoneandaBbblueone,aFyellowone

AndtheyareFallmadeoutofC7tickytacky

andtheyFalllookCjusttheFsame.

ArtistMalvina Reynolds

AlbumSingle

GenresBlues, Folk

Year1962

KeyF

DifficultyAdvanced

How to play Little Boxes on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes on guitar requires 4 chords and 3 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.

Little Boxes uses these transitions most often: C7 → F (14), F → C7 (14), and Bb → F (8). 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 F - Bb chord transition.

1. F → Bb chord transition

Here's how to move from F to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

2. F → C7 chord transition

Here's how to move from F to C7:

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.
Lift your pinky from D string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 14 times.

3. F → C chord transition

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.

Little Boxes chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Little Boxes.

Little Boxes includes 46 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Little Boxes contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Little Boxes connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
- F → C: 40%
- F → Bb: 5%
After C7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (62%), C (4%), and Gm (4%).
- C7 → F: 62%