I Started A Joke

Q: How to play the easy chords for I Started A Joke (Wallflowers)?

To play the Easy Chords for I Started A Joke, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords (C, G, Am, F) with Capo on Fret 2 to make transitions easier without barre chords.

Q: Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

Wallflowers verified

Key: E

110 BPM

Tuning: Standard

🎸 Original Version Easy Chords

Transpose

Notation

Capo

Instrument

speed

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Easy Chord Tip: Place Capo on Fret to play open chord shapes ().

CHORD DIAGRAMS

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tune Transposed: semitones

Great song from the zoolander soundtrack!

[Intro]
[E][Bm][F#m][Am]
[E][Bm][F#m][Am]

[E]I [Bm]started a[F#m] joke,
[Am]which [E]started the [Bm]whole [F#m]world crying,
[Am]but [E]I [Bm]didn't[F#m] see
[Am]that the [E] joke [Bm]was on me,
[F#m]oh [Am]no

[E]I [G#m]started [A]to cry,
[B]which [E]started the [G#m]whole world [A] laughing,
[B]oh, [E]if I'd[G#m] only [A] seen
[B]that the [E]joke was on me

[C#m]I, I looked at [G#m] the skies, [A]running my hands [E] over my eyes,
[G#m]and I, I fell [C#m] out of bed, [A]hurting my [E]head from things [B]that I'd said

[E]Til I [Bm]finally [F#m] died,
[Am]which [E]started the [Bm]whole [F#m]world living,
[Am]oh, [E]if I'd[G#m] only [A] seen
[B]that the [E]joke was on me

[C#m]I looked at [G#m]the skies, [A]running my hands [E]over my eyes,
[G#m]and I, I fell [C#m] out of bed, [A]hurting my [E]head from things [B]that I'd said

[E]'Til I [Bm][F#m]finally died,
[Am]which [E]started the [Bm]whole [F#m]world living
[Am]oh, [E]if I'd[G#m] only [A] seen
[B]that [E]the [G#m]joke was [A] on me
[B]that [E]the [G#m]joke was [A] on me
[B]that [E] the [Bm] [F#m]joke [Am]was [E]on me

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Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album Single / Hits

Released 2025

Genre

Roots Rock Alternative Rock

Songwriter Wallflowers

Chord Version Options

3 Versions

Versi Studio (Versi 2) Alternative By Contributor

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Chord Mudah Basic Chords • Capo Fret 4 Open chords (C / G) without barre chords

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info About This Song

Song Fundamentals

Original Key E (E Major)

Tempo / BPM 110 BPM

Tuning Standard

Time Signature 4/4

Difficulty Level Advanced

Capo Position Capo Fret 2

Chord Count 8 Unique Chords

Genre Roots Rock

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I Started A Joke by Wallflowers is played in the key of E with a tempo of around 110 BPM. Progresi ini menciptakan pergerakan harmoni alami: E (I) sebagai Tonic (Pusat Nada/Stabil), diikuti F#m (ii) sebagai Supertonic (Subdominant/Penghubung), diikuti G#m (iii) sebagai Mediant (Tonic/Pewarna), diikuti A (IV) sebagai Subdominant (Gerak Maju/Tensi Sedang), diikuti B (V) sebagai Dominant (Tensi Kuat Menuju Tonic), diikuti C#m (vi) sebagai Submediant (Relatif Minor/Melankolis).

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Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips

Theory Guide

Guitar playing guide for I Started A Joke by Wallflowers: sounding in E (Capo Fret 2, shape D) at 110 BPM (4/4) featuring beginner-friendly strumming ('↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑').

check_circle Key & Tempo: Sounding in E (Capo on Fret 2 (played in D shape)) at 110 BPM in 4/4 time signature.
check_circle Voicing & Barre Bypass: Contains barre shapes (Bm, F#m, G#m) with open cowboy substitutions (e.g. Fmaj7, Bm7, B7) to eliminate finger fatigue.
check_circle Critical Transition: Transition from E to Bm requires anchoring index or ring finger as a stable pivot.
check_circle Strumming Pattern: Master '↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑' by starting at 79 BPM before accelerating to studio 110 BPM.

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

Harmonic Progression

Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)

I – Bm – ii – Am – iii – IV – V – vi

Song chords:

star Primary Chords (Song Foundation)

E Bm F#m Am

Chords that repeat most frequently throughout the verse and chorus.

more_horiz Auxiliary / Transition Chords

G#m A B C#m

Used as harmonic transition variations in intro, bridge, or outro.

tune Why Use a Capo?

Capo & Sounding Key

Sounding Key E Acoustic pitch of original recording

Capo Fret 2 sync_alt Raises the pitch of open strings

Fingering Shape Key D Open chord finger positions

Placing a Capo on Fret 2 transforms fingering into D, maintaining E sound without complex barre chords.

lightbulb Alternative Capo Positions for This Song:

piano Chord Family E

Diatonic Matrix

This song is built on the key of E. Here are the 7 diatonic chords (Chord Family) that harmonize according to music theory:

I E Tonic

ii F#m Supertonic

iii G#m Mediant

IV A Subdominant

V B Dominant

vi C#m Submediant

vii° D#dim Leading

speed Difficulty Level: Advanced

Difficulty Determinants for This Song:

check_circle Uses 8 unique chords throughout the song

check_circle Requires 5 barre chord shapes (Bm, F#m, G#m)

check_circle Capo on fret 2 is recommended for optimal finger comfort

dna MUSICAL DNA:

KEY: E • TEMPO: 110 BPM • PROG: I – Bm – ii – Am – iii – IV – V – vi • DIFF: 2/5 • CAPO: 2

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ I Started A Joke

FAQ & Tips

quiz How to play the easy chords for I Started A Joke (Wallflowers)?

To play the Easy Chords for I Started A Joke, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords (C, G, Am, F) with Capo on Fret 2 to make transitions easier without barre chords.

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for I Started A Joke?

The original recording key for I Started A Joke by Wallflowers is E. You can use the Transpose (+ / -) feature anytime to adjust the pitch to match male or female vocal ranges automatically.

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

info Video playback is restricted by the content owner outside YouTube.

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I Started A Joke - Wallflowers

Official Audio

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Song Summary & Key Facts

Transcribed by Contributor

Album Single / Hits

Released 2025

Genre

Roots Rock Alternative Rock

Songwriter Wallflowers

Chord Version Options

3 Versions

Versi Studio (Versi 2) Alternative By Contributor

View →

Chord Mudah Basic Chords • Capo Fret 4 Open chords (C / G) without barre chords

View →

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KEY E

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I Started A Joke

Playing with Capo on 2nd Fret?

Want step-by-step video tutorials for I Started A Joke?

info About This Song

Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

tune Why Use a Capo?

piano Chord Family E

speed Difficulty Level: Advanced

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ I Started A Joke

quiz How to play the easy chords for I Started A Joke (Wallflowers)?

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for I Started A Joke?

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

I Started A Joke

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