This week at the 3 Chord Club we learn three songs from rockin’ blues icon Janis Joplin.
Each Friday 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 (with the exception of Bonus Chord songs)! You’ll find links to the lyrics but not the chords. That’s where your ears come in. Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear while watching the YouTube video. 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 the key of the recording. If you can’t figure out the original key of a song or songs refer to the Extra Credit Hints at the bottom of the post.
Me & Bobby McGee (lyrics)
(Hint: Chorus IV-I-V7-I)
Turtle Blues (lyrics)
(Hint: I-IV-I-IV-I-V-I)
Extra Credit Hints:
Me & Bobby McGee: Key G (Chords G-C-D )
Mercedes Benz: A Capella
Turtle Blues: Key D (Chords: D-G-A7)
Hi, I was really happy to see Janis’ Turtle Blues and give it a go. It’s one of my first 3 chord attempts on your site. One note: the links (tried to cut and paste relevant part) don’t work but I found a You Tube video of it and I’m pretty sure it is what you intended.
My ears get D G and A and not E. Tried to cheat and see what Chordie had to say and but it isn’t out there anywhere. I guess that’s why I never had the song in my book–but now it’s there but maybe I am hearing it wrong?