California Dreamin
View chords used in this chart
Intro:
6-string acoustic:
C#m G#7sus4 [N.C.]
[Am] [E7sus4]
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-0-
-----0---3--1--0-|-----------------|-----------------|-0-
---2-------------|-------%---------|-------%---------|-2-
-2-----2---------|-----------------|-----------------|-0-
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-2-
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-0-
^^^^^^^ triplets
12-string acoustic:
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
-----------------|-----0-1-0-------|-----------------|---
-----------------|-------------3---|-1---3-1---------|---
-----------------|-----------------|---------4--2--0-|-2-
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---
-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---
triplets ^^^^^^^
Verse 1:
C#m C#m7/B A
[Am] [Am7/G] [F]
All the leaves are brown
(all the leaves are brown)
B G#7sus4 G#7
[G] [E7sus4] [E7]
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
A E G#7 C#m
[F] [C] [E7] [Am]
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
A G#7sus4 G#7
[F] [E7sus4] [E7]
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
C#m C#m7/B A
[Am] [Am7/G] [F]
I'd be safe and warm
(I'd be safe and warm)
B G#7sus4 G#7
[G] [E7sus4] [E7]
If I was in L. A. (if I was in L. A.)
Chorus:
C#m C#m7/B A
[Am] [Am7/G] [F]
California dreamin'
(California dreamin')
B G#7sus4 G#7
[G] [E7sus4] [E7]
On such a winter's day
Verse 2:
Stopped in to a church
I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees
(got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher likes the cold
(preacher likes the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
[repeat chorus]
Instrumental break:
flute solo over verse (hold C#m [Am] through first two lines or
3-1/2 bars) and chorus chords
Verse 3:
All the leaves are brown
(all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her
(if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
Coda:
C#m C#m7/B A
[Am] [Am7/G] [F]
California dreamin'
(California dreamin')
B C#m C#m7/B A
[G] [Am] [Am7/G] [F]
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
B C#m C#m7/B A
[G] [Am] [Am7/G] [F]
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
B Amaj7 C#m
[G] [Fmaj7] [Am]
On such a winter's day
-- another ace 60's tab from Andrew Rogers
How to play California Dreamin
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C#m. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.