Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Key: Dm · 89 BPM · 4/4

Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers sits in Dm, 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 — F-Dm — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 89 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	Dm	F-Dm
Capo 5	Am	C-Am

Chord chart

0:01 F
0:04 Dm
0:06 F
0:09 Dm
0:12 F
0:14 Dm
0:17 F
0:20 Dm
0:22 F
0:25 Dm7
0:28 F
0:31 Dm
0:33 F
0:36 Dm
0:39 F
0:41 Dm
0:44 F
0:47 Dm
0:49 F
0:52 Dm
0:54 F
0:57 Dm
1:06 C
1:08 Dm
1:11 F
1:13 C
1:14 Dm
1:16 F
1:18 Dm
1:21 C
1:22 F
1:24 Dm
1:26 F
1:30 Dm
1:32 F
1:35 Dm
1:38 F
1:40 Am
1:41 Dm
1:43 F
1:46 Dm
1:48 F
1:52 Dm
1:54 F
1:57 Dm
2:05 C
2:08 D
2:16 C
2:19 D
2:20 Dm
2:21 F
2:24 Dm
2:27 F
2:28 Am
2:29 Dm
2:32 F
2:35 Dm
2:37 F
2:40 Dm
2:43 F
2:45 Dm
2:54 C
2:56 Dm
3:04 C
3:07 Dm
3:15 C
3:18 Dm
3:26 C
3:29 Dm

Frequently asked questions

What key is Scar Tissue in?

Scar Tissue is in Dm.

What chords does Scar Tissue use?

The core of Scar Tissue cycles through F, Dm (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Scar Tissue?

Scar Tissue runs at 89 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Scar Tissue use?

Scar Tissue doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: F-Dm.

What capo should I use for Scar Tissue?

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