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What's Going On

Marvin Gaye verified
Key: E
110 BPM
Standard (E A D G B E)
↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑
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🎸 Original Version Easy Chords
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Capo ?
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Easy Chord Tip: Use capo on fret 4 — use C chord shapes. Pelajari Smart Capo →
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CHORD DIAGRAMS
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tune Transposed: semitones
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info About This Song

Song Fundamentals
Key E (E Major)
Tempo / BPM 110 BPM (Approx.)
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Time Signature 4/4
Difficulty Level Intermediate
Capo Position Capo Fret 4
Chord Count 4 Unique Chords
Genre Classic Soul
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Strumming Pattern ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑
Time Signature 4/4
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What's Going On by Marvin Gaye is played in the key of E. Originally recorded in the sounding key of E, 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye is best approached with a Capo placed on Fret 4, enabling guitarists to execute friendly C shapes while fully preserving the studio pitch. The F#m chord can be navigated using an open F#m7 variation or capo shifting to exploit natural Em open fingerings across all primary song verses. The primary progression challenge lies in switching between Emaj7 and C#m: keep your fingers hovering close to the fretboard rather than flying off between changes. Set your metronome at an initial practice tempo of 79 BPM in 4/4 time to master the '↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑' strumming groove, emphasizing steady downstrokes on beats one and three before accelerating toward the studio speed of 110 BPM.
analytics Analisis harmoni & progresi dihitung secara komputasional berdasarkan dataset transkripsi chord ChordGitar.in.

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

Harmonic Progression
Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)
I – vi – I – vi – I – vi
Song chords:
star Primary Chords (Song Foundation)
Emaj7 C#m F#m B7

Chords that repeat most frequently throughout the verse and chorus.

more_horiz Auxiliary / Transition Chords
This song focuses on a minimalist 4-chord foundation.

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
Capo Fret 4 sync_alt Raises the pitch of open strings
Fingering Shape Key C Open chord finger positions

Placing a Capo on Fret 4 transforms fingering into C, maintaining E sound without complex barre chords.

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: Intermediate

Difficulty Determinants for This Song:
check_circle Uses 4 unique chords throughout the song
check_circle Requires 3 barre chord shapes (C#m, F#m, B7)
check_circle Requires extended harmonic variations (Emaj7)
check_circle Capo on fret 4 is recommended for optimal finger comfort
dna MUSICAL DNA:
KEY: E • TEMPO: 110 BPM (Approx.) • PROG: I – vi – I – vi – I – vi • DIFF: 4/5 • CAPO: 4

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ What's Going On

FAQ & Tips

quiz How to play the easy chords for What's Going On (Marvin Gaye)?

To play the Easy Chords for What's Going On, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords with Capo on Fret 4 to make transitions easier without barre chords.

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for What's Going On?

The original recording key for What's Going On by Marvin Gaye 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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What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Official Audio

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Listen to official audio for What's Going On by Marvin Gaye on streaming platforms:

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