Let It Be Guitar Chords: Play the Beatles Classic (C G Am F)

Why "Let It Be" Is the Perfect Beginner Song

"Let It Be" by The Beatles is one of those songs that sounds instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant — yet it's built on just four chords that every beginner should know. Written by Paul McCartney and released in 1970, it has become one of the most covered and beloved songs in history.

The magic of "Let It Be" for guitarists: the four-chord progression C-G-Am-F is arguably the most universal chord progression in popular music. Mastering it with this song gives you the foundation to play dozens of other classics.

The Four Chords You Need

Here's a quick reference for each chord:

C Major

• Ring finger: 3rd fret, A string (5th)
• Middle finger: 2nd fret, D string (4th)
• Index finger: 1st fret, B string (2nd)
• Open strings: G and high E
• Mute: low E string

G Major

• Middle finger: 3rd fret, low E string (6th)
• Index finger: 2nd fret, A string (5th)
• Ring finger: 3rd fret, high E string (1st) — or use 4-finger version with ring on B and pinky on high E
• Open strings: D and G

Am (A Minor)

• Index finger: 1st fret, B string (2nd)
• Middle finger: 2nd fret, D string (4th)
• Ring finger: 2nd fret, G string (3rd)
• Open strings: A and high E
• Mute: low E string

F Major

F is the most challenging of the four. Here's the beginner-friendly mini-F version:

• Index finger: 1st fret, B string (2nd)
• Middle finger: 2nd fret, G string (3rd)
• Ring finger: 3rd fret, D string (4th)
• Mute or skip: low E, A, and high E strings

The full barre F (index barres all 6 strings at fret 1 with ring on A, pinky on D, middle on G) sounds fuller but is much harder. Use the mini-F until you've built enough finger strength and technique for the barre version.

Song Structure and Chord Progression

The song is in the key of C major. The main chord progression is:

C — G — Am — F

This repeats through virtually the entire song — verses, chorus, and bridge all use variations of this same progression. The simplicity is part of the genius.

Verse

Each chord gets roughly one measure (4 beats) in the verse:

C | G | Am | F (repeat)

The verse melody sits beautifully over this progression. "When I find myself in times of trouble..." — those words fall over C major, "Mother Mary comes to me..." over G major, "speaking words of wisdom" over Am, "let it be" over F.

Chorus

The chorus ("Let it be, let it be...") uses the same C-G-Am-F progression but with a slightly different rhythmic feel, often played with more energy and fuller strumming.

Bridge / Instrumental

The instrumental break features the iconic piano (and later lead guitar) solo over the same chord progression. If you're playing solo guitar, you can strum the chords while singing or hum the melody.

Strumming Pattern for Let It Be

The original recording uses piano prominently, but guitar works beautifully with this strumming pattern:

Beginner pattern (down strums only):
D — D — D — D (one down strum per beat, 4/4 time)

Intermediate pattern:
D — DU — U — DU (Down, Down-Up, Up, Down-Up)

In notation terms: ↓ . ↓↑ . ↑ . ↓↑

Full pattern used in most guitar covers:
D DU UDU (the classic 4/4 folk/pop pattern)

Start with straight down strums. Once the chord changes are comfortable, add the up strums. The goal is to keep time, not to impress anyone with a complex pattern.

Tips to Make It Sound Great

Nail the C to Am transition first. Going from C to Am is one of the smoothest transitions in the song — your ring finger barely moves, and your other two fingers shift naturally. Practice just this pair until it's seamless.

The G to Am move: This one is trickier. From G (3-finger version), your middle finger needs to move from the low E 3rd fret to the D string 2nd fret, your ring finger from the high E 3rd fret to the G string 2nd fret, and your index finger comes in on the B string 1st fret. Practice slowly, very slowly, until this becomes muscle memory.

Give F its own practice time. The Am-to-F and F-to-C transitions are the hardest parts of this song. Isolate them and drill them separately before playing the song straight through.

Use a capo at the 2nd fret for easier playability. Many guitarists play "Let It Be" with a capo on the 2nd fret, allowing them to use shapes that feel slightly more comfortable while the song sounds in the right key. Experiment with it.

Slow down and sing. The real test of "Let It Be" isn't playing the chords — it's playing and singing simultaneously. Start at a painfully slow tempo where the chord changes are completely automatic, then add your voice. Gradually increase the tempo.

The C-G-Am-F Progression in Other Songs

Once you learn this progression, you'll hear it everywhere. These songs all use C-G-Am-F (or its equivalent in another key):

• "Someone Like You" — Adele (A-E-F#m-D, same pattern transposed)
• "With or Without You" — U2
• "Despacito" — Luis Fonsi (Bm-G-D-A)
• "Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey (E-B-C#m-A)
• "Africa" — Toto (in a different key)
• "No Woman No Cry" — Bob Marley (C-G-Am-F)

This is why the I-V-vi-IV progression (which is what C-G-Am-F is in the key of C major) is sometimes called "the most popular chord progression in history." Once you have it down, a huge portion of pop music opens up to you.