Motherless Children by Eric Clapton

Key: A · 129 BPM · 3/4

Motherless Children by Eric Clapton is written in A major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 2-chord loop — A-D — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song cycles a 2-chord progression in A major: A-D. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoAA-D
Capo 2GG-C
Capo 5EE-A
Capo 7DD-G

Chord chart

  • 0:00 A
  • 0:29 D
  • 0:33 A
  • 0:35 D
  • 0:37 A
  • 0:39 D
  • 0:41 A
  • 0:43 D
  • 0:44 A
  • 0:47 D
  • 0:48 A
  • 0:50 E
  • 0:52 D
  • 0:54 F
  • 0:56 A
  • 0:58 D
  • 1:00 A
  • 1:02 D
  • 1:06 A
  • 1:08 D
  • 1:10 A
  • 1:12 D
  • 1:14 A
  • 1:15 D
  • 1:18 A
  • 1:19 D
  • 1:21 A
  • 1:23 E
  • 1:25 D
  • 1:27 F
  • 1:29 A
  • 1:31 D
  • 1:32 A
  • 1:34 D
  • 1:36 A
  • 1:38 D
  • 1:40 A
  • 1:42 D
  • 1:44 A
  • 1:45 D
  • 1:47 A
  • 1:49 D
  • 1:51 A
  • 1:53 E
  • 1:55 D
  • 1:57 F
  • 1:59 A
  • 2:01 D
  • 2:02 A
  • 2:04 D
  • 2:06 A
  • 2:08 D
  • 2:10 A
  • 2:13 D
  • 2:14 A
  • 2:16 D
  • 2:18 A
  • 2:20 D
  • 2:21 A
  • 2:23 E
  • 2:25 D
  • 2:27 F
  • 2:29 A
  • 2:31 D
  • 2:33 A
  • 2:35 D
  • 2:39 A
  • 2:41 D
  • 2:43 A
  • 2:45 D
  • 2:47 A
  • 2:48 D
  • 2:50 A
  • 2:52 D
  • 2:54 A
  • 2:56 E
  • 2:58 D
  • 3:00 F
  • 3:02 A
  • 3:04 D
  • 3:06 A
  • 3:07 D
  • 3:09 A
  • 3:11 D
  • 3:13 A
  • 3:15 D
  • 3:17 A
  • 3:19 D
  • 3:24 A
  • 3:26 D
  • 3:32 A
  • 3:34 D
  • 3:40 A
  • 3:41 D
  • 3:47 A
  • 3:49 D
  • 3:51 A
  • 3:53 D
  • 3:54 A
  • 3:56 D
  • 3:58 A
  • 4:01 D
  • 4:02 A
  • 4:04 E
  • 4:06 D
  • 4:07 F
  • 4:09 A
  • 4:11 D
  • 4:14 A
  • 4:16 D
  • 4:24 A

Frequently asked questions

What key is Motherless Children in?

Motherless Children is in A major.

What chords does Motherless Children use?

The core of Motherless Children cycles through A, D (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Motherless Children?

Motherless Children runs at 129 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Motherless Children use?

Motherless Children doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: A-D.

What capo should I use for Motherless Children?

No capo needed — A major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.

Related songs

Other songs in A major

More by Eric Clapton