Smoke on the Water Chords
by Deep Purple
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About Smoke on the Water
Smoke on the Water features arguably the most famous guitar riff in rock history — four notes that every beginner guitarist learns. The song tells the true story of a fire at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland during a Frank Zappa concert in 1971, which the band witnessed from their hotel across Lake Geneva. The "smoke on the water" was literally the smoke drifting over the lake.
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Tips for Playing Smoke on the Water
The iconic riff uses G5-Bb5-C5 power chords (or parallel fourths on strings 3-4)
Many beginners play it wrong - use two-note power chords, not single notes
The verse follows G minor with Gm-F-Gm progression
The chorus uses C5-Ab5-Bb5 power chord movement
Use a slightly overdriven tone — not too clean, not too distorted
Fun Facts About Smoke on the Water
The riff is reportedly the first thing most guitar students learn
The fire that inspired the song was started by a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert
The "funky Claude" in the lyrics refers to Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival founder
What You'll Get for Smoke on the Water
Complete Chord Progression
Every chord in Smoke on the Water with exact timestamps so you know when each chord plays
Song Key Detection
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Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the chord detection for Smoke on the Water?
Our AI-powered chord detection achieves 95%+ accuracy on most songs. Upload your Smoke on the Water audio file and verify the results by ear for the best experience.
Can I use this for guitar or piano?
Yes! The chord progressions work for any instrument - guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, or any other. The chords for Smoke on the Water are universal across all instruments.
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What audio formats are supported?
We support MP3, WAV, AIFF, and M4A files up to 50MB. Upload your Smoke on the Water recording in any of these formats.
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