Going Away To College
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Rhy. Fig. 1 w/light distortion and possibly low speed/depth phasing
B F#
e------------------------
B------------------------
G-4-4--4-4-4-----------4-
D-4-4--4-4-4-4--4-4--4-4-
A-2-2--2-2-2-4--4-4--4-2-
E------------2--2-2--2---
Riff A: w/heavy dist
e-|--------------------------------------------------|--
B-|--------------------------------------------------|--
G-|o----------8-----------8-----------8-------------o|--
D-|o----9-----------9-----------9-----------9-----9-o|9-
A-|-------------------------7-7---7-7---9-9---9-9----|9-
E-|-7-7---7-7---7-7---7-7----------------------------|7-
Note: In order to play this riff easily, keep your pinkie finger on the D string
and your middle finger on the G string throughout while using your index finger
to play the 7s and your ring finger to play the 9s.
Verse: Rhy. Fig. 2 w/heavy dist
B E F#
e----------------------------------
B----------------------------------
G-----------9-9-9-9-11-11-11-11----
D-9--9-9-9--9-9-9-9-11-11-11-11----
A-9--9-9-9--7-7-7-7--9--9--9--9----
E-7--7-7-7-------------------------
Chorus: Rhy. Fig. 3 w/heavy dist
Eb E B F#* x3
e---------------------------------------------------------------------
B---------------------------------------------------------------------
G--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8/9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4------------------
D--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8/9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--
A--6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6/7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--
E----------------------------------------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--
Eb E B F#(type 2)**
e---------------------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7--
G--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8/9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6--
D--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8/9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--
A--6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6/7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--
E---------------------------------------------------------------------
*I'm not 100% sure that this is the correct chord, C# also sounds good
here.. try both and decide which you like
**I switched to the different voicing of the chord here because
I feel it helps emphasize the lyrics in the last line, the
difference is small but slightly noticeable. This chord also is not
necessarily an F#, it could also be a B :)
Riff B: w/heavy dist
e--------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------
G------8-----8-----8-----8-----8-----8-----8-------
D------------------------------------------------9-
A--------------------------7-7---7-7---9-9---9-9---
E--7-7---7-7---7-7---7-7---------------------------
Note: Mute all the notes on the A and E strings.
Here's how it all comes together:
Rhy Fig. 1x8
Riff A
Rhy. Fig. 2 x2
Riff A
Rhy. Fig. 2 x2
Rhy. Fig. 3
Riff A
Riff B x2
Rhy. Fig. 2 x2
Rhy. Fig. 3
Rhy. Fig. 1 x8
Rhy. Fig. 3
How to play Going Away To College
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 B. 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.