Free Fallin' by John Mayer

Key: F · 172 BPM · 3/4

Free Fallin' by John Mayer is written in F major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a I-V-I-IV rotation: F-C-F-Bb. At 172 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a I-V-I-IV rotation in F major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-IV-I-V progression

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
Capo 1	E	E-B-A
Capo 3	D	D-A-G
Capo 5	C	C-G-F

Chord chart

0:00 F
0:04 C
0:06 F
0:13 Bbmaj7
0:15 C
0:17 F
0:18 Bb
0:20 F
0:21 C
0:23 F
0:24 Bb
0:26 F
0:30 Bb
0:31 F
0:35 Bb
0:37 F
0:38 C
0:39 F
0:41 Bb
0:43 F
0:43 C
0:44 F
0:46 Bb
0:48 F
0:49 C
0:51 F
0:57 Bb
0:59 F
1:03 Bb
1:05 F
1:08 Bb
1:10 F
1:16 C
1:18 F
1:19 Bb
1:21 F
1:24 Bb
1:26 F
1:30 Bb
1:31 F
1:32 C
1:33 F
1:35 Bb
1:37 F
1:40 Bb
1:42 F
1:46 Bb
1:48 F
1:51 Bb
1:53 F
2:02 Bb
2:04 F
2:04 C
2:05 F
2:07 Bb
2:09 F
2:13 Bb
2:14 F
2:15 C
2:17 F
2:18 Bb
2:20 F
2:23 Bb
2:25 F
2:26 C
2:28 F
2:29 Bb
2:31 F
2:34 Bb
2:36 F
2:37 C
2:39 F
2:40 Bb
2:41 F
2:45 Bb
2:48 C
2:50 F
2:51 Bb
2:52 F
2:56 Bb
2:58 F
3:07 Bb
3:08 F
3:12 Bb
3:15 C
3:16 F
3:18 Bb
3:19 F
3:28 Bb
3:30 F
3:34 Bbmaj7
3:36 F
3:39 Bb
3:41 F
3:44 Bb
3:46 F
3:50 Bb
3:52 F
3:55 Bb
3:57 F
3:58 C

Frequently asked questions

What key is Free Fallin' in?

Free Fallin' is in F major.

What chords does Free Fallin' use?

The core of Free Fallin' cycles through F, C, Bb (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Free Fallin'?

Free Fallin' runs at 172 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Free Fallin' use?

Free Fallin' follows the I-IV-I-V progression, played as a I-V-I-IV rotation. It's a plagal + authentic mix.

What capo should I use for Free Fallin'?

Capo 1 and play E major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F major.