John the Revelator

Q: How to play the easy chords for John the Revelator (Blind Willie Johnson)?

To play the Easy Chords for John the Revelator, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords (C, G, Am, F) to make transitions easier without barre chords.

Q: Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

Blind Willie Johnson verified

Key: E

Tuning: Standard

Strum: ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

sync_saved_locally Audio Synced

🎸 Original Version Easy Chords

Transpose

Notation

Capo

Instrument

speed

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Easy Chord Tip: Place Capo on Fret to play open chord shapes ().

CHORD DIAGRAMS

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tune Transposed: semitones

[E]Well who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals
[A]Tell me what's John [B7]a writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals
[B7]Now who art [E]worthy, crucified and holy
[A]Bound up for some, [B7]Son of our God
[E]Daughter of [B7]Zion, Judea's Lion
[E]He redeemed us, [A]Jesus bought us with
[B7]His blood
[E]Now tell me who's [B7]that a writing? John The
[E]Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals
[B7]Well what's John a [E]writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals
[E]Well Moses to [A]Moses, Watching the flock
[B7]Saw the bush where [E]they had to stop
[B7]God told Moses [E]pull off your shoes
[A]Out of the flock, a [B7]well a you I choose
[E]Now tell me who's [B7]that a writing? John The
[E]Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]Who's that a [B7]writing? John The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals
[B7]Well what's John a [E]writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[A]What's John a [B7]writing? Ask The Revelator
[E]A book of the seven seals

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Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow

Released 1970

Genre

Acoustic Acoustic Blues

Songwriter Blind Willie Johnson

Chord Version Options

2 Versions

Chord Mudah (Capo 4) Basic Chords • Capo Fret 4 Open chords (C / G) without barre chords

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info About This Song

Song Fundamentals

Original Key E (E Major)

Tempo / BPM 110 BPM

Tuning Standard

Time Signature 4/4

Difficulty Level Very Easy

Capo Position No Capo

Chord Count 3 Unique Chords

Genre Acoustic

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Strumming Pattern ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

Time Signature 4/4

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John the Revelator by Blind Willie Johnson is played in the key of E with a tempo of around 110 BPM. Progresi ini menciptakan pergerakan harmoni alami: E (I) sebagai Tonic (Pusat Nada/Stabil), diikuti B7 (V) sebagai Dominant (Tensi Kuat Menuju Tonic), diikuti A (IV) sebagai Subdominant (Gerak Maju/Tensi Sedang).

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Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips

Theory Guide

Guitar playing guide for John the Revelator by Blind Willie Johnson: sounding in E without capo at 92 BPM (4/4) featuring beginner-friendly strumming ('↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑').

check_circle Key & Tempo: Sounding in E (Standard tuning without capo) at 92 BPM in 4/4 time signature.
check_circle Voicing & Fingering: 100% open cowboy chords (C, G, D, Em, Am) requiring zero barre finger pressure.
check_circle Critical Transition: Transition from E to B7 requires anchoring index or ring finger as a stable pivot.
check_circle Strumming Pattern: Master '↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑' by starting at 66 BPM before accelerating to studio 92 BPM.

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

Harmonic Progression

Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)

I – V – IV

Song chords:

star Primary Chords (Song Foundation)

E B7 A

Chords that repeat most frequently throughout the verse and chorus.

more_horiz Auxiliary / Transition Chords

This song uses a minimalist 4-chord structure.

Used as harmonic transition variations in intro, bridge, or outro.

tune Why Use a Capo?

Capo & Sounding Key

Sounding Key E Acoustic pitch of original recording

No Capo sync_alt Raises the pitch of open strings

Fingering Shape Key E Open chord finger positions

The song is played in its original key of E without a capo.

lightbulb Alternative Capo Positions for This Song:

piano Chord Family E

Diatonic Matrix

This song is built on the key of E. Here are the 7 diatonic chords (Chord Family) that harmonize according to music theory:

I E Tonic

ii F#m Supertonic

iii G#m Mediant

IV A Subdominant

V B Dominant

vi C#m Submediant

vii° D#dim Leading

speed Difficulty Level: Very Easy

Difficulty Determinants for This Song:

check_circle Uses 3 unique chords throughout the song

check_circle All open position chords, zero barre chords required

dna MUSICAL DNA:

KEY: E • TEMPO: 110 BPM • PROG: I – V – IV • DIFF: 2/5 • CAPO: 0

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ John the Revelator

FAQ & Tips

quiz How to play the easy chords for John the Revelator (Blind Willie Johnson)?

To play the Easy Chords for John the Revelator, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords (C, G, Am, F) to make transitions easier without barre chords.

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for John the Revelator?

The original recording key for John the Revelator by Blind Willie Johnson is E. You can use the Transpose (+ / -) feature anytime to adjust the pitch to match male or female vocal ranges automatically.

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

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John the Revelator - Blind Willie Johnson

Official Audio

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Listen to official audio for John the Revelator by Blind Willie Johnson on streaming platforms:

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John the Revelator expand_less

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YouTube Spotify

Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow

Released 1970

Genre

Acoustic Acoustic Blues

Songwriter Blind Willie Johnson

Chord Version Options

2 Versions

Chord Mudah (Capo 4) Basic Chords • Capo Fret 4 Open chords (C / G) without barre chords

View →

More Songs by Blind Willie Johnson verified

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Let Your Light Shine on Me

KEY G

Blind Willie Johnson

John the Revelator

Playing with Capo on 2nd Fret?

Want step-by-step video tutorials for John the Revelator?

info About This Song

Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

tune Why Use a Capo?

piano Chord Family E

speed Difficulty Level: Very Easy

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ John the Revelator

quiz How to play the easy chords for John the Revelator (Blind Willie Johnson)?

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for John the Revelator?

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?