Tracy Chapman performing in Budapest in 1988

Fast Car

Tracy Chapman

Key: A majorNo capo4/4

Standard tuning

D: low to high muted, muted, 0, 2, 3, 2IVD××A: low to high muted, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0IA×F#m: low to high 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2viF#mE: low to high 0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 0VE

Intro figure · no-capo adaptation at concert pitch

Intro figure · no-capo adaptation at concert pitcheBGDAED5223h25255521e&a2e&a3e&a4e&aF#m9107991e&a2e&a3e&a4e&a

Intro / VerseRepeating cycle

Fingerpick lightly; the second harmony enters on the & of 2.

2 bars

Figure as above

Progression bars 1–2IVDIAviF#mVE1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&

ChorusOne-time passage

Open up the sound with gentle strums; return to the intro figure after the last bar.

9 bars
Progression bars 1–8IVDIAviF#mVEIVDviF#mVEIVDviF#mVE12341234123412341&2&3&4&12341&2&3&4&1234Progression bars 9–9IVDVE1234

Additional tips

Touch Keep the bass clear and the upper notes gentle. The fretted drone is more demanding without a capo; use the chord grips if the stretch is uncomfortable.

Improvisation A major pentatonic: A–B–C♯–E–F♯. Aim for A or C♯ on A, and F♯ or A on F♯m.

Follow the changes Add D over D and G♯ over E from A major (A–B–C♯–D–E–F♯–G♯); these chord tones are absent from the pentatonic.