Guitar With Rene
Easy guitar song

Leaving on a Jet Plane easy guitar chords for beginners

A gentle three-chord song that gives new players time to land each change.

GCDsongs with these chords
Practice this in the song library Learn the chords first

Quick answer

Leaving on a Jet Plane can be practiced as a beginner guitar song with G, C, D. Start with one slow strum per chord, then add the Slow downstrokes rhythm after the chord changes are steady.

  • Chords: G, C, D
  • Progression: G - C / G - D
  • Practice goal: build up toward about 122 BPM
ArtistJohn Denver
Beginner chordsG, C, D
ProgressionG - C / G - D
Strum ideaSlow downstrokes
Practice tempo122 BPM

Before you play it

Leaving on a Jet Plane works best as a beginner song when you treat the chord loop as the lesson. Mute the strings, count the progression once, then play one slow downstroke per chord before adding the full strum.

Do not use speed as the test. The test is whether the next chord lands without stopping your strumming hand.

How to practice Leaving on a Jet Plane on guitar

1. Say the chords first

Read the progression out loud before you play. The goal is to know what comes next before your hand has to move.

2. Use one slow strum

Play one downstroke per beat until every chord rings clearly. Speed is the last thing to add.

3. Add the rhythm

Once the changes feel steady, try the strum pattern and keep the hand moving through each switch.

Chord shapes used in this song

G guitar chord

e|---3---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---

C guitar chord

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|---x---

D guitar chord

e|---2---
B|---3---
G|---2---
D|---0---
A|---x---
E|---x---

More songs with the same chords

Love Me DoG, C, DSweet Home AlabamaD, C, G

Related beginner songs

Wagon WheelG, D, Em, CKnockin' on Heaven's DoorG, D, Am, CStand By MeG, Em, C, DZombieEm, C, G, D

Common questions

Is Leaving on a Jet Plane easy on guitar?

Leaving on a Jet Plane is beginner-friendly if you already know G, C, D and slow the rhythm down before playing at song speed.

What chords do I need for Leaving on a Jet Plane?

Use these beginner chord shapes: G, C, D.

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