Today at the 3 Chord Club features a somewhat morbid aspect of the old-timey and folk music genres, the murder ballad. The songs are sometimes based on true occurrences and more often than not contain only two to three chords.

At the 3 Chord Club we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we’ll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less! Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear. Here’s a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that’s C-F-G or G7. Remember, the sound examples may be in various keys. As an added bonus try, to figure out what key the original is played in.

Tom Dooley-The Kingston Trio
(Hint: 2 Chords)
 

Poor Ellen Smith-Molly O’Day
(Hint: 3 Chords)

The Banks of the Ohio-Doc Watson & Bill Monroe
(Hint: 3 Chords)

Songs presented are for educational purposes only and used under the fair use doctrine of United States copyright law.