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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary Chords

ChordsF, D, C, Bb, G, D7, Em
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

FDFDFDCBbG
GLeftagoodjobinthecity,
Workin’forthemaneverynightandday
AndIneverlostoneminuteofsleepin’
Worryin’’boutthewaythingsmighthavebeen
D7Bigwheelkeeponturnin’
EmProudMarykeeponburnin’
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
FDFDFDCBbG
GCleanedalotofplatesinMemphis
PumpedalotofpaindowninNewOrleans
ButIneversawthegoodsideofthecity
‘TilIhitchedarideonariverboatqueen
D7Bigwheelkeeponturnin’
EmProudMarykeeponburnin’
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
FDFDFDCBbG
GIfyoucomedowntotheriver
Betyougonnafindsomepeoplewholive
Youdon’thavetoworry’causeyouhavenomoney
Peopleontheriverarehappytogive
D7Bigwheelkeeponturnin’
EmProudMarykeeponburnin’
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
GRollin’rollin’rollin’ontheriver
FDFDFDCBbG
AlbumBayou Country
Year1969
KeyG
DifficultyAdvanced

How to play Proud Mary on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary on guitar requires 7 chords and 8 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.

Proud Mary uses these transitions most often: F → D (12), D → F (8), and Bb → G (4). 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 - D chord transition.

1. F → D chord transition

To move from F to D:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

F to D

2. D → C chord transition

To move 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, played 4 times.

D to C

3. C → Bb chord transition

To move from C to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

C to Bb

4. Bb → G chord transition

Switching from Bb to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

Bb to G

5. G → D7 chord transition

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 3 times.

6. D7 → Em chord transition

Here's how to move from D7 to Em:

  1. While playing D7, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
  2. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

7. Em → G chord transition

To move from Em to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

8. G → F chord transition

To move from G to F:

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

This transition appears in the interlude, played 3 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Proud Mary.

  • Proud Mary includes 44 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Proud Mary contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Proud Mary 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 → F: 9%
    • G → D7: 1%
    After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → D: 1%