Bad Moon Rising | TAB (key of D)
Let’s go through how to play this relatively simple tune using TAB arranged for acoustic guitar. The intro is the same as the verse and contains the main riff, so let’s start there.
There’s plenty to unpack in these four bars:
- Bar 1 is a full D chord. The only unusual part is the last beat—release the fretting hand while allowing the 4th string to keep ringing.
- Bar 2 uses a similar idea: let go of the A chord early. In both bars, this is indicated by a small dot above the note. Notice how there’s no dot above the G chord.
- Bar 3 features a D5 (power chord), not a full D. It slides in honky-tonk style to a D6. The open strings form something between a G chord and a D6sus4.
- Bar 4 continues this honky-tonk approach, again with open strings—it could be called G or D6sus4.
Here’s the chorus, which is easier (if you’ve mastered the verse!).
We begin simply, although bars 1 and 2 are not identical. Be sure to read the rhythms carefully. The variation between D and D/A is a nice touch.
The second line should make sense once you’ve worked out the verse and the first part of the chorus.
The only remaining section is the solo, which follows the verse and chorus, apart from the final line:
This small variation—adding a bit of honky-tonk flair to the A and G chords—is all you need to spice things up.
You can apply this honky-tonk idea in the chorus too by adding a 6 to the G and D chords. Experiment with how much you do this—
To honky-tonk or not to honky-tonk? That is the question.
Practise each section slowly, then play along with the original recording.
Bad Moon Rising | TAB Key of E (tune down 1 tone)
Now let’s look at how to play this on electric guitar, tuned down a whole tone—similar to how John Fogerty did it.
I say “similar” because what you’ll see below is a part designed for one guitar in a band—a sort of “best of” version.
Here’s the verse. I’ve written E/G# as that’s the shape you need to see, even though the bass plays E—so it’s not strictly correct, and it’s no longer beginner-friendly.
Notice the small dot above beats 2 and 4 in bar 2—this means play it short. It’s an alternative to writing a staccato rhythm.
Here’s the same part, but now using an open E chord instead of the E/G#, which you could think of as a C shape.
Now for the chorus—I’ve created two examples for you. Learn both, then consider blending them.
Again, we use open-position chords with a small dot to indicate that the chord should be dampened early. Strike the chord, then release the fretting hand to mute it.
Here’s a more complex version. The A and B chords are in E shapes, while the E is in a C shape. All chords include 6 extensions.
Bad Moon Rising Backing Tracks + TAB | Related Pages
Bad Moon Rising | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival using chords, chord analysis, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| D | A G | D6 riff | D | A G | D6 riff |
I see the bad moon a-risin’, I see trouble on the way…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
