California

Q: How to play the easy chords for California (Yellowcard)?

To play the Easy Chords for California, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords 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.

Yellowcard verified

Key: G

110 BPM

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)

Strum: ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

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

[Intro]
[G] [C] [Em] [C]

[G]Tell me secrets, cause [C]I know you're scared
[Em]And you dream [C]of California tonight
[G]If you wait up, [C]I can meet you there
[Em]And we could [C]be California tonight
[G]When everything that [C]I can see
[Em]Goes dark I feel [C]you here with me
[G]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[Em]When shadows try [C]to swallow me
[G]You're the only [C]light I'll ever need
[Em]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[G]Tell me all [C]this was another life
[Em]And what it's [C]like in California tonight
[G]Where the sun sets [C]in a perfect sky
[Em]I want to [C]be in California tonight
[G]When everything that [C]I can see
[Em]Goes dark I feel [C]you here with me
[G]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[Em]When shadows try [C]to swallow me
[G]You're the only [C]light I'll ever need
[Em]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[G]Salt in the air, [C]blood in my veins
[Em]No more black [C]clouds, just colorful days
[G]Salt in the air, [C]blood in my veins
[Em]No more black [C]clouds, just colorful days
[G]♪
[C]When everything that [Em]I can see
[C]Goes dark I feel [G]you here with me
[C]And i, I'm [Em]holding on to you
[C]When shadows try [G]to swallow me
[C]You're the only [Em]light I'll ever need
[C]And i, I'm [G]holding on to you
[C]Tell me secrets, cause [Em]I know you're scared
[C]And you dream [G]of California tonight

Found an error in chord or lyrics for this song?

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Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album California

Released 2014

Genre

Alternative Metal Alternative Rock

Songwriter Yellowcard

Chord Version Options

2 Versions

Versi Studio Alternative By Contributor

View →

info About This Song

Song Fundamentals

Key G (G Major)

Tempo / BPM 110 BPM (Approx.)

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Time Signature 4/4

Difficulty Level Very Easy

Capo Position No Capo

Chord Count 4 Unique Chords

Genre Alternative Metal

graphic_eq

Strumming Pattern ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

Time Signature 4/4

auto_awesome

California by Yellowcard is played in the key of G. Progresi ini menciptakan pergerakan harmoni alami: G (I) sebagai Tonic (Pusat Nada/Stabil), diikuti C (IV) sebagai Subdominant (Gerak Maju/Tensi Sedang), diikuti Em (vi) sebagai Submediant (Relatif Minor/Melankolis), diikuti D (V) sebagai Dominant (Tensi Kuat Menuju Tonic).

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Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips

Theory Guide

Guitar playing guide for California by Yellowcard: sounding in G without capo at 110 BPM (4/4) featuring beginner-friendly strumming ('↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑').

check_circle Key & Tempo: Sounding in G (Standard tuning without capo) at 110 BPM in 4/4 time signature.
check_circle Voicing & Fingering: 100% open chords (G, C, Em) requiring zero barre finger pressure.
check_circle Critical Transition: Transition from G to C requires anchoring index or ring finger as a stable pivot.
check_circle Strumming Pattern: Master '↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑' by starting at 79 BPM before accelerating to studio 110 BPM.

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

Harmonic Progression

Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)

I – IV – vi – V

Song chords:

star Primary Chords (Song Foundation)

G C Em D

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 G Acoustic pitch of original recording

No Capo sync_alt Raises the pitch of open strings

Fingering Shape Key G Open chord finger positions

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

lightbulb Alternative Capo Positions for This Song:

piano Chord Family G

Diatonic Matrix

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

I G Tonic

ii Am Supertonic

iii Bm Mediant

IV C Subdominant

V D Dominant

vi Em Submediant

vii° F#dim Leading

speed Difficulty Level: Very Easy

Difficulty Determinants for This Song:

check_circle Uses 4 unique chords throughout the song

check_circle All open position chords, zero barre chords required

dna MUSICAL DNA:

KEY: G • TEMPO: 110 BPM (Approx.) • PROG: I – IV – vi – V • DIFF: 1/5 • CAPO: 0

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ California

FAQ & Tips

quiz How to play the easy chords for California (Yellowcard)?

To play the Easy Chords for California, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords to make transitions easier without barre chords.

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

The original recording key for California by Yellowcard is G. 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.

info Video playback is restricted by the content owner outside YouTube.

Open on YouTube →

California - Yellowcard

Official Audio

0:00 0:00

Listen to official audio for California by Yellowcard on streaming platforms:

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YouTube Spotify

Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album California

Released 2014

Genre

Alternative Metal Alternative Rock

Songwriter Yellowcard

Chord Version Options

2 Versions

Versi Studio Alternative By Contributor

View →

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[Intro]
[G] [C] [Em] [C]

[G]Tell me secrets, cause [C]I know you're scared
[Em]And you dream [C]of California tonight
[G]If you wait up, [C]I can meet you there
[Em]And we could [C]be California tonight
[G]When everything that [C]I can see
[Em]Goes dark I feel [C]you here with me
[G]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[Em]When shadows try [C]to swallow me
[G]You're the only [C]light I'll ever need
[Em]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[G]Tell me all [C]this was another life
[Em]And what it's [C]like in California tonight
[G]Where the sun sets [C]in a perfect sky
[Em]I want to [C]be in California tonight
[G]When everything that [C]I can see
[Em]Goes dark I feel [C]you here with me
[G]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[Em]When shadows try [C]to swallow me
[G]You're the only [C]light I'll ever need
[Em]And i, I'm [C]holding on to you
[G]Salt in the air, [C]blood in my veins
[Em]No more black [C]clouds, just colorful days
[G]Salt in the air, [C]blood in my veins
[Em]No more black [C]clouds, just colorful days
[G]♪
[C]When everything that [Em]I can see
[C]Goes dark I feel [G]you here with me
[C]And i, I'm [Em]holding on to you
[C]When shadows try [G]to swallow me
[C]You're the only [Em]light I'll ever need
[C]And i, I'm [G]holding on to you
[C]Tell me secrets, cause [Em]I know you're scared
[C]And you dream [G]of California tonight