Heart of Gold Chords: Neil Young

"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young, released in 1972, uses three chords for the verse and a brief C major in the chorus. Em-D-G for the verse. The harmonica is the song's signature, but the chord work on guitar carries the rhythm and the harmony.

The Chords

• Em
• D major
• G major
• C major (chorus only)

The verse: Em-D-G, repeated. The chorus: Em-C-G-D, then back to the verse.

The Strumming Pattern

Down-down-up-up-down-up at about 90 BPM. Simple folk-rock strum. Each chord lasts one or two bars depending on the section.

The Harmonica

The song's most recognizable element is the harmonica solo. If you don't have a harmonica, you can play the melody on guitar (single-note picking on the 3rd-5th frets of the upper strings), but the song works fine with just the chord progression as backing.

The Capo Decision

The original is in E minor with no capo. Neil Young's voice is famously high; if you can't sing it in his key, capo up to find your range.

Common Mistakes

• Tempo rushing. About 90 BPM. The song breathes.
• Strumming too aggressively. The song is gentle. Light strums, not power strums.
• Skipping the chorus C major. The C is what gives the chorus its lift. Without it, the chorus sounds like an extension of the verse.

FAQ: Heart of Gold Questions

What key is "Heart of Gold" in?

E minor (or G major; the song moves between the two related keys). No capo in the original.

Is "Heart of Gold" easy to play?

Yes. Three chords for the verse, four for the chorus. All open chords. One of the easiest folk-rock songs to learn.

Do I need a harmonica?

No. The song works with just guitar and vocals. The harmonica is iconic but not required.

What's the strum pattern?

Down-down-up-up-down-up at 90 BPM. Standard folk-rock pattern.

What other Neil Young songs use this style?

"Old Man," "Cinnamon Girl," "Cortez the Killer." Most of his acoustic work uses similar chord palettes and folk-rock strumming.