Paul Simon - Sounds of Silence Chords

ChordsAm, G, C, F

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 E key to play this song with easier chords.

AmHellodarkness,myoldGfriend,I`vecometotalktoyou Amagain,

BecauseaCvisionsoftlyFis Ccreeping,

LeftitsseedswhileIFwas Csleeping,

AndtheFvisionthatwasplantedinmyCbrain,still Amremains,

WithintheGsoundofAmsilence.

AmInrestlessdreamsIwalked Galone,

Barrowstreetsof Amcobblestone.

BeneaththeChaloofFastreetClamp,

IturnedmycollartotheFcoldandCdamp,

WhenmyFeyeswerestabbedbytheflashofaneonClight,

ThatsplittheAmnightandtouchedtheGsoundofAmsilence.

AmAndinthenakedlightIGsaw,tenthousandpeople,maybeAmmore,

PeopleCtalking Fwithout Cspeaking,

Peoplehearing FwithoutClistening,

PeoplewritingFsongsthatvoicesneverCshare,

AndnooneAmdaredisturbtheGsoundsofAmsilence.

AmFools,saidI,youdonotGknow,silencelikeacancerAmgrows,

HearmyCwords,thatIFmightteachCyou,

TakemyarmsthatIFmightreachCyou,

ButmyFwordslikesilentraindropsCfellAm

AndechoedintheGwellsofAmsilence.

AmAndthepeoplebowedandGprayedtotheneongodthey`dAmmade.

AndtheCsignflashedoutFits Cwarning,

InthewordsthatitFwas Cforming.

Andthesignsaid,theFwordsoftheprophetsarewritten

InthesubwayCwalls,andtenementAmhalls,

AndwhisperedintheGsoundsofAmsilence.

ArtistPaul Simon

AlbumThe Paul Simon Songbook

GenresFolk, Folk Rock, Rock

Year1965

KeyAm

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Sounds of Silence on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Paul Simon - Sounds of Silence 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.

Sounds of Silence uses these transitions most often: C → F (15), F → C (15), and Am → G (10). 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 Am - G chord transition.

1. Am → G chord transition

Switching from Am to G:

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 G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

2. Am → C chord transition

To move from Am to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

3. C → F chord transition

To move from C to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 15 times.

Sounds of Silence chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Sounds of Silence.

Sounds of Silence includes 60 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Sounds of Silence contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Sounds of Silence connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After Am, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (26%), G (21%), and C (16%).
- Am → G: 21%
- Am → C: 16%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → F: 16%
- C → Am: 10%