Octopus’s Garden by The Beatles is played in the key of E at a beginner difficulty level, originally released in the 1960s. It uses 3 chords — E A B — arranged in the I-IV-V progression.
About the I-IV-V progression
The I-IV-V progression uses the three primary chords of the key — nothing else. It's the harmonic foundation of blues, folk, country, and early rock and roll. Learning to switch between these three chords fluently in every key is a fundamental milestone for beginner guitarists.
Playing in the key of E
E major is a staple of rock and blues guitar — think Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, and countless Rolling Stones classics. E, A, and D are open shapes; C#m as the relative minor is a barre chord.
Related songs
More songs in the key of E
More songs using the I-IV-V progression
Learn to play Octopus’s Garden by The Beatles on guitar. It sits in the key of E and uses the I-IV-V progression with the chords E A B.