Leaving on a Jet Plane

How to play Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver on guitar

This is a great beginner song because the changes are familiar, the tempo is relaxed, and the feel is easy to keep steady. You can focus on clean chord changes and a smooth, even pulse without having to rush.

Most of the song uses open shapes, so your left hand can stay comfortable on D, G, A, C, Dm, Am, and Em. The main thing to watch is moving between D, G, and A cleanly, since that opening progression comes back and sets the feel of the song.

Start by looping D - G - A - G slowly until the switches feel automatic. Then add the rest of the chord changes in small sections, and only speed up once you can play each change without stopping. Keep the rhythm steady first, then work on making every chord ring clearly.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.