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14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?The 100 most repeated chord transitions extracted from thousands of songs. Even the first 10 will transform your guitar practice routine.

Kingston Trio - M.T.A. Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsG, C, D7
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 A,D,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

GNowletmetellyouastoryaboutaCmannamedCharlie
OnthisGtragic&fatefulD7day
HeputG10centsintohispocket,kissedhisCwifeandfamily
WenttoGrideontheD7M.T.A.
GButdidheeverreturn?No,heCneverreturned,
AndhisGfateisstill D7unlearned
HemayGrideforeverbeneaththeCstreetsofBoston
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
GCharliehandedinhisdimeattheCKendallSquareStation
AndheGchangedforJamaicaD7Plain
WhenheGgottheretheconductortoldhim C“Onemorenickel”
CharlieGcouldn’tgetD7offthatGtrain
GButdidheeverreturn?No,heCneverreturned,
AndhisGfateisstill D7unlearned
HemayGrideforeverbeneaththeCstreetsofBoston
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
NowGallnightlongCharlieCridesthroughthestation
Saying, G“WhatwillbecomeofD7me?
HowcanGIaffordtoseemyCsisterinChelsea
OrmyGcousininD7Roxbury?”
GButdidheeverreturn?No,heCneverreturned,
AndhisGfateisstill D7unlearned
HemayGrideforeverbeneaththeCstreetsofBoston
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
GCharlie’swifegoesdowntoCScollaySquareStation
EveryGdayataquarterpastD7two
AndthroughtheGopenwindowshehandsCCharlieasandwich
AstheGtraincomesD7rumblingGthrough
GButdidheeverreturn?No,heCneverreturned,
AndhisGfateisstill D7unlearned
HemayGrideforeverbeneaththeCstreetsofBoston
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
GNowyoucitizensofBoston,don’tyouCthinkitisascandal
ThattheGpeoplehavetopayandD7pay
FighttheGfareincrease,voteforCGeorgeO’Brien
AndgetGCharlieofftheD7M.T.A.!
GButdidheeverreturn?No,heCneverreturned,
AndhisGfateisstill D7unlearned
HemayGrideforeverbeneaththeCstreetsofBoston
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
He’stheGmanwhoD7never Greturned
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistKingston Trio
AlbumScarlet Ribbons
GenresFolk
Year1959
KeyG
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play M.T.A. on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Kingston Trio - M.T.A. on guitar requires 3 chords and 2 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.

M.T.A. uses these transitions most often: D7 → G (21), G → D7 (21), and C → G (20). 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

Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram

Here's how to move 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 20 times.

G to C

2. G → D7 chord transition

Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar D7 chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-1-2Guitar D7 chord diagram

Here's how to move from G to D7:

  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 G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 21 times.

G to D7

M.T.A. chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in M.T.A..

  • M.T.A. includes 82 chord transitions, 2 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • M.T.A. contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how M.T.A. 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 → D7: 1%
    After D7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (51%), G7 (18%), and C (6%).
    • D7 → G: 51%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.