Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Dark Star

Chords

4.864 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/67

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 67Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

DARK STAR - GRATEFUL DEAD
[Verse 1]
ADarGk star AcrashesG, Apouring Gits light into AashesG  
EmReasoAn tEmatterAs, the Emforces tAear loose from the aEmxisA  
ASearcGh light AcastingG  
for Afaults in the Gclouds of AdelusionG  
                     e|------------------------------0------|
                     B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0-----0------|
                     G|------------------------------0------|
                     D|------------------------------2------|
                     A|------------------------------2------|
                     E|------------------------------0------|
[Bridge]
SAhall we Asus4go,           Ayou   and   I    while  we  can
                     e|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
                     B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0--2--0-----------------------------------------------|
                     G|---------------------------------2--------------------------------------------|
                     D|------------------------------------------0---------0-------------------------|
                     A|------------------------------------0-h2-0---0-h2-0---0-h2-0-2-0------------0-|
                     E|-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--0---|
AThrough       Asus4           Athe transitive nightfall of diamonds
[Verse 2]
AMirGror shaAtters iGn Aformless Greflections of AmatteGr
AGlaGss hand AdissolGviAng in icGe petal flowers ArevolGving
ALadGy in veAlvet reGceAdes in tGhe nights of goAod-byeG  
[Bridge]
SAhall we Asus4go,           Ayou   and   I    while  we  can
                     e|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
                     B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0--2--0-----------------------------------------------|
                     G|---------------------------------2--------------------------------------------|
                     D|------------------------------------------0---------0-------------------------|
                     A|------------------------------------0-h2-0---0-h2-0---0-h2-0-2-0------------0-|
                     E|-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--0---|
AThrough       Asus4           Athe transitive nightfall of diamonds
(Fade)

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Dark Star" began with Jerry Garcia composing the initial chords, which later inspired lyricist Robert Hunter to write the words, drawing from T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Released as a single in 1968, this Grateful Dead song quickly became a cornerstone for their renowned live improvisations, often stretching into lengthy jam sessions. It's a journey into the unknown, a musical exploration of deep, cosmic mystery.

AI-written from these sources:Dark Star (song) — Wikipedia ↗Grateful Dead — Wikipedia ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Dark Star

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Asus4

DARK STAR - GRATEFUL DEAD

[Verse 1]

A G A G A G A G

Dark star crashes, pouring its light into ashes

Em A Em A Em A Em A

Reason tatters, the forces tear loose from the axis

A G A G

Search light casting

A G A G

for faults in the clouds of delusion

e|------------------------------0------|

B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0-----0------|

G|------------------------------0------|

D|------------------------------2------|

A|------------------------------2------|

E|------------------------------0------|

[Bridge]

A Asus4 A

Shall we go, you and I while we can

e|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0--2--0-----------------------------------------------|

G|---------------------------------2--------------------------------------------|

D|------------------------------------------0---------0-------------------------|

A|------------------------------------0-h2-0---0-h2-0---0-h2-0-2-0------------0-|

E|-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--0---|

A Asus4 A

Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds

[Verse 2]

A G A G A G A G

Mirror shatters in formless reflections of matter

A G A G A G A G

Glass hand dissolving in ice petal flowers revolving

A G A G A G A G

Lady in velvet recedes in the nights of good-bye

[Bridge]

A Asus4 A

Shall we go, you and I while we can

e|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|---2--3--5--3--2--3--2--0--2--0-----------------------------------------------|

G|---------------------------------2--------------------------------------------|

D|------------------------------------------0---------0-------------------------|

A|------------------------------------0-h2-0---0-h2-0---0-h2-0-2-0------------0-|

E|-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--0---|

A Asus4 A

Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds

(Fade)

About Dark Star Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Dark Star by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Dark Star chords”, “Dark Star guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Dark Star chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Dark Star chords and for experienced players who want accurate Dark Star lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, G, Em, B, D, E.

FAQ — Dark Star by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Dark Star" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Dark Star" by Grateful Dead on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Dark Star" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Dark Star" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Dark Star" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Dark Star" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Dark Star"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Dark Star" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Dark Star" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Dark Star" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Dark Star" in?

The chords for "Dark Star" show the original chord names (including A, G, Em, B, D, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.