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Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game Ukulele Chords

ChordsA, D, E7, F#m
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

AYesterdayaDchildcameouttoAwonder
ACaughtadragonDflyinsideaE7jar
AFearfulwhentheDskywasfullofF#mthunder
AndDtearfulattheAfallingE7ofaAstar
AAndtheseasons,theygoE7aroundandAaround
AAndthepaintedponiesgoE7upandAdown
We’reDcapturedonacarouselofAtime
DWecan’treturn,wecanonlylook F#mbehindfromwhereweDcame
DAndgoF#maroundandaroundandDaroundintheE7circleAgame
AThenthechildmovedDtentimesaroundtheAseasons
ASkatedoverDtenclearfrozenE7streams
AWordslike,whenyou’reDolder,mustF#mappeasehim
AndDpromisesofAsomedayE7makehisAdreams
AAndtheseasons,theygoE7aroundandAaround
AAndthepaintedponiesgoE7upandAdown
We’reDcapturedonacarouselofAtime
DWecan’treturn,wecanonlylook F#mbehindfromwhereweDcame
DAndgoF#maroundandaroundandDaroundintheE7circleAgame
ASixteenspringsandDsixteensummersgoneAnow
ACartwheelsturntoDcarwheelsthroughtheE7town
AAndtheytellhim,takeyourDtimeitwon’tbeF#mlongnow
TillyouDdragyourfeettoAslowtheE7circlesAdown
AAndtheseasons,theygoE7aroundandAaround
AAndthepaintedponiesgoE7upandAdown
We’reDcapturedonacarouselofAtime
DWecan’treturn,wecanonlylook F#mbehindfromwhereweDcame
DAndgoF#maroundandaroundandDaroundintheE7circleAgame
ASotheyearsspinbyandDnowtheboyisAtwenty
AThoughhisdreamshavelostsomeDgrandeurcomingE7true
AThere’llbenewdreams,maybeDbetterdreamsandF#mplenty
DBeforethelast ArevolvingE7yearisAthrough
AAndtheseasons,theygoE7aroundandAaround
AAndthepaintedponiesgoE7upandAdown
We’reDcapturedonacarouselofAtime
DWecan’treturn,wecanonlylook F#mbehindfromwhereweDcame
DAndgoF#maroundandaroundandDaroundintheE7circleAgame
DAndgoF#maroundandaroundandDaroundintheE7circleAgame
AlbumLadies of the Canyon
Year1970
KeyA
DifficultyEasy

How to play The Circle Game on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game on ukulele requires 4 chords and 4 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.

The Circle Game uses these transitions most often: A → D (21), E7 → A (21), and D → F#m (13). 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 A - D chord transition.

1. 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 section, played 21 times.

A to D

2. D → E7 chord transition

To move from D to E7:

  1. Slide your index finger on G string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from E string fret 2 to A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

D to E7

3. E7 → A chord transition

To move from E7 to A:

  1. While playing E7, lift your ring finger from A string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 21 times.

E7 to A

4. D → F#m chord transition

To move from D to F#m:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 13 times.

D to F#m

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Circle Game.

  • The Circle Game includes 101 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • The Circle Game contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how The Circle Game connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After A, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → E7: 4%
    After D, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (28%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → A: 17%
    • D → F#m: 2%