The Creep · Classics
E · G#7 · A · Am
I · III7 · IV · iv in the key of Em
Major three, then the minor four — the borrowed-chord ache from the Beatles to Radiohead.
Four bars of the creep in the key of Em, written I · III7 · IV · iv and played let it ring over a half-time groove at around 88 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play (and slow it down) without an account.
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What the chords are
This is I · III7 · IV · iv in the key of Em. The degree of each chord is what makes the progression recognisable in any key, so the same four moves transpose anywhere once you know them by number.
- E I up at the 5th fret, spanning to the 7th, on 3 strings
- G#7 III7 up at the 4th fret, spanning to the 5th, on 4 strings
- A IV up at the 5th fret, spanning to the 6th, on 3 strings
- Am iv at the 5th fret, on 3 strings
How it should feel
- Strum
- Let it ring
- Groove
- Half-time
- Tempo
- 88 bpm
- Key
- Em
- Voicings
- Glue
The smallest possible movement between chords. The voices barely leave their seats.
The shapes
Low E on the left, high e on the right. 0 is an open string, × is one you do not play.
| Chord | E | A | D | G | B | e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | × | × | 6 | × | 5 | 7 |
| G#7 | × | × | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| A | × | × | × | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Am | × | × | × | 5 | 5 | 5 |
More Classics
- E · B · C#m · G#m · A · E · A · B I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V in Em · The Canon
- C#m · A · E · B vi · IV · I · V in Em · Minor Anthem
- Em · D · C · B i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V in Em · The Fall
- E · C#m · A · B I · vi · IV · V in Em · ’50s Doo-wop
Posted . Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.