Africa (Toto) Guitar Lesson with TAB

Africa Guitar Lesson + TAB
In this guitar lesson, you get TAB for how to play all sections of Africa, arranged for just one acoustic guitar!


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.

Africa TAB, intro without lick.

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

Africa TAB, intro with lick, too difficult.

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:

Africa TAB, intro with lick, easier.

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.

Africa TAB, intro with lick, modified.

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.

Africa TAB, verse.

Play this along with the original recording until it feels natural, then try it on your own.

Lastly, here’s the chorus.

Africa TAB, 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

Africa chords lesson.

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

When you can play the TAB for Africa, try these five tunes from the song book.


Toto tunes

Toto wrote Africa.

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

Listen to Toto on Spotify.


About me | Dan Lundholm

Dan Lundholm wrote this guitar lesson and TAB for Africa.

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.


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