Africa | TAB
This took me a while to work out but it was well worth it. I’d like to take you on a journey, describing how and why I ended up with the TAB for the intro, incorporating that keyboard lick.
Here’s an intro part that works, the second bar is in keeping with the overall vibe, but it’s ignoring the keyboard lick.

I found a keyboard transcription of that lick and placed it using the Em shape of the C#m chord, I got this:

The A and G#m chords had to move up the neck to fit it all together, but after trying repeatedly I gave up, that lick was just too difficult and felt disjointed with the chords.
So I used the rhythm and spirit of it to strum instead, moved back down the neck and ended up with this:

Playing along with the original recording and this worked, although, on my own, it just felt strange, so I modified the rhythm and found this part in the end.

Even though this isn’t 100% correct, it felt like the best compromise overall.
Let’s move on to the verse, I’ll just give you one example here.

Play this along with the original recording until it feels natural, then try it on your own.
Lastly, here’s the chorus.

When you can play all sections, try it along with the complete original recording.
Following this, consider how you could improve this arrangement and make it your own.
Africa TAB | Related Pages
Africa | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Africa by Toto using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| 4/4 B D#m7 | G#m7 B/F# | A/E E/F# | 6/4 G#m7 A G#m7 C#m7 |
I hear the drums echoing tonight, but she hears only whispers of some quiet…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
Toto tunes
Formed in 1977 by session musicians in L.A. Toto released their own albums as well as became Michael Jackson’s backing band.
Under their own name, they had great success with Hold The Line, Rosanna, Africa, Stop Loving You, and Georgy Porgy.
Toto on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Africa. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.