River by Joni Mitchell is played in the key of C at a advanced difficulty level, originally released in the 1970s. It uses 3 chords — C Am F — arranged in the I-vi-IV progression.
About the I-vi-IV progression
This song is built on the I-vi-IV progression. Follow the chord order in the diagrams above, and use the transpose controls if the key doesn't suit your voice.
Playing in the key of C
C major is the theoretical home key of Western music: all natural notes, no sharps or flats. On guitar, C, Am, Em, F, and G are the working chords. The one wrinkle is F, which as the IV chord requires either a barre or a partial shape — the first "difficult" chord most beginners meet.
Related songs
More songs in the key of C
More songs using the I-vi-IV progression
Learn to play River by Joni Mitchell on guitar. It sits in the key of C and uses the I-vi-IV progression with the chords C Am F.