“Leaving on a Jet Plane,” famously sung by John Denver, is a timeless classic, beloved for its heartfelt lyrics and simple, yet beautiful melody. For guitarists, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, especially for beginners. Its chord progression is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for practicing basic chords and strumming patterns. If you’ve been wanting to play this iconic song, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with easy-to-follow guitar chords for “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” ensuring you can start playing along in no time.
Simple Chord Chart for “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
The beauty of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” lies in its simplicity. The entire song primarily uses just three basic chords: A, D, and E. These are fundamental chords that every beginner guitarist should learn. Here’s a quick look at these chords:
- A Major (A): Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B string. Strum all strings except the low E string.
- D Major (D): Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string. Strum from the D string down.
- E Major (E): Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Strum all strings.
With just these three chords, you can play the entire song! This makes “Leaving on a Jet Plane” an incredibly accessible song for those just starting their guitar journey.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” Chord Progression Breakdown
Let’s break down the song structure and the chord progression for each part. This will make it easier to follow along and learn the song section by section.
Intro:
The intro sets a gentle and melancholic tone. It uses a simple A and D chord progression, repeated twice, before moving to E.
Chords: A D A D E E
Verse:
The verses tell the story of departure with a sense of sadness and longing. The chord progression in the verse is consistent and easy to remember.
Chords:
A D All my bags are packed I’m ready to go
A D I’m standing here outside your door,
A D E E I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.
A D But the dawn is breaking it’s early mor’n
A D The taxi waiting he is blowing his horn
A D E E Already I’m so lonesome I could cry.
Chorus:
The chorus is the emotional heart of the song, expressing the pain of leaving and the hope of return. It maintains the same chord pattern as the verse, making it easy to transition between sections.
Chords:
A D So kiss me and smile for me,
A D tell me that you’ll wait for me,
A D E E hold me like you will never let me go.
A D Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane,
A D don’t know when I’ll be back again.
A D E E Oh babe I hate to go.
Outro:
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, fading out on the emotional weight of the lyrics and simple chord structure. You can simply repeat the Chorus chords to play the outro and end the song.
Strumming Pattern for “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
For beginners, a simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time works perfectly for “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” You can count it as “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Focus on keeping a steady rhythm and smoothly transitioning between chords. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with adding variations to your strumming to create more dynamic textures. Listen to the original song to get a feel for the rhythm and timing.
Tips for Beginner Guitarists
- Start Slow: Don’t rush. Begin by practicing chord changes slowly. Focus on cleanly switching between A, D, and E chords without pausing too much.
- Practice Chord Transitions: The key to smooth playing is seamless chord transitions. Practice moving from A to D, D to A, A to E, E to A, D to E, and E to D repeatedly until it becomes fluid.
- Consistent Practice: Regular practice, even for short periods each day, is more effective than long, infrequent sessions. Aim for at least 15-20 minutes of practice daily.
- Listen to the Song: Listen to “Leaving on a Jet Plane” frequently to internalize the rhythm, melody, and feel of the song. This will help you play with better timing and expression.
- Use a Tuner: Ensure your guitar is properly tuned. An out-of-tune guitar will make learning frustrating. Use an electronic tuner or a tuning app to get your guitar in tune before each practice session.
- Be Patient: Learning guitar takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t sound perfect right away. Keep practicing, and you’ll gradually improve.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” is a beautiful and rewarding song to learn on guitar. Its simple chord structure makes it an ideal choice for beginners, while its timeless melody and lyrics make it enjoyable for players of all levels. Grab your guitar, learn these chords, and start playing this classic tune today!
