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Led Zeppelin - Going To California Ukulele Chords

ChordsD, G, Dm, A7, A
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

D
GSpentmydayswithawomanunkind,
SmokedmystuffanddrankallmyDwine.
GMadeupmymindtomakeanewstart,
GoingtoCaliforniawithanachinginmyDheart.
GSomeonetoldmetheresagirloutthere
WithloveinhereyesandflowersinherDhair.
DmGDDmGD
GTookmychancesonabigjetplane,
Neverletthemtellyouthatthey’realltheDsame.
GTheseawasredandtheskywasgrey,
Wonderedhowtomorrowcouldeverfollow Dtoday.
GThemountainsandthecanyonsstartedtotrembleandshake
Asthechildrenofthesunbeganto Dawake.
DmSeemsthatthewrathofthegods
Gotapunchonthenoseanditstartedtoflow;
IthinkImightbe A7sinking.
DmThrowmealineifIreachitintime
Illmeetyouuptherewherethepath
RunsstraightandA7highA
D
GTofindaqueenwithoutaking;
TheysaysheplaysguitarandcriesassheDsings.
GRideawhitemareinthefootstepsofdawn
Tryintofindawomanwho’snever,never,neverbeenDborn.
GStandingonahillinmymountainofdreams,
Tellingmyselfitsnotashard,hard,hardasitDseems.
DmGDDmGD
AlbumLed Zeppelin IV
GenresRock, Metal
Year1975
KeyD
DifficultyEasy

How to play Going To California on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Led Zeppelin - Going To California on ukulele requires 5 chords and 7 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Going To California uses these transitions most often: G → D (13), D → G (9), and D → Dm (5). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with D - G chord transition.

1. D → G chord transition

Here's how to move from D to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

D to G

2. D → Dm chord transition

To move from D to Dm:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.

This transition appears in the interlude, played 5 times.

D to Dm

3. Dm → G chord transition

To move from Dm to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the interlude, played 4 times.

Dm to G

4. Dm → A7 chord transition

Here's how to move from Dm to A7:

  1. While playing Dm, first lift your middle finger and ring finger.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 1.

This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.

Dm to A7

5. A7 → A chord transition

To move from A7 to A:

  1. Keep index finger on C string fret 1.
  2. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 2 times.

6. A → Dm chord transition

To move from A to Dm:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on C string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section.

7. A → D chord transition

Here's how to move from A to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the interlude.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Going To California.

  • Going To California includes 37 chord transitions, 7 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Going To California contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Going To California connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After D, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (28%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → G: 28%
    • D → Dm: 1%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → D: 24%