Changes by David Bowie is played in the key of C at a advanced difficulty level, originally released in the 1970s. It uses 4 chords — C Am Dm7 G7 — arranged in the I-vi-ii-V progression.
About the I-vi-ii-V progression
The I-vi-ii-V is a "circle progression" where each chord's root drops by a fourth. This creates one of the strongest harmonic movements in Western music. It's the backbone of doo-wop, jazz standards, and countless mid-century ballads.
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-ii-V progression
Learn to play Changes by David Bowie on guitar. It sits in the key of C and uses the I-vi-ii-V progression with the chords C Am Dm7 G7.