Kodachrome by Paul Simon

Key: F#m · 136 BPM · 4/4

Kodachrome by Paul Simon sits in F#m, giving it a darker, more unresolved color than a major-key song would have. 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-F#m — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 136 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
Capo 2	Em	G-Em
Capo 4	Dm	F-Dm

Chord chart

0:00 E
0:04 A
0:07 F#m
0:09 B
0:11 E
0:12 F#m
0:14 E
0:18 A
0:21 F#m
0:24 E
0:26 F#m
0:28 E
0:31 A
0:35 F#m
0:38 E
0:40 A
0:42 F#
0:44 Bm
0:45 E
0:47 A
0:49 D
0:51 B
0:52 E
0:54 A
0:56 F#
0:57 Bm
0:59 E
1:01 A
1:03 D
1:04 B7
1:06 E
1:08 A
1:10 C#m
1:11 F#m
1:15 E
1:19 A
1:22 F#m
1:24 B
1:26 E
1:28 F#m
1:29 E
1:33 A
1:36 F#m
1:40 E
1:41 A
1:43 F#
1:45 Bm
1:47 E
1:49 A
1:50 D
1:52 B
1:54 E
1:56 A
1:57 F#
1:59 Bm
2:01 E
2:02 A
2:04 D
2:06 B7
2:08 E
2:10 A
2:11 C#m
2:13 F#m
2:17 A
2:18 C#m
2:20 F#m
2:24 A
2:26 C#m
2:27 F#m
2:31 A
2:33 C#m
2:34 F#m
2:38 A
2:40 C#m
2:42 F#m
2:45 A
2:47 C#m
2:48 F#m
2:52 A
2:54 C#m
2:55 F#m
2:59 A
3:01 C#
3:02 F#m
3:06 A
3:08 C#m
3:09 F#m
3:13 A
3:14 C#m
3:16 F#m
3:20 A
3:22 C#m
3:23 F#m
3:27 A
3:28 C#m

Frequently asked questions

What key is Kodachrome in?

Kodachrome is in F#m.

What chords does Kodachrome use?

The core of Kodachrome cycles through A, F#m (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Kodachrome?

Kodachrome runs at 136 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Kodachrome use?

Kodachrome doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: A-F#m.

What capo should I use for Kodachrome?

Capo 2 and play Em shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F#m.