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The Mamas and the Papas - California Dreamin' - Guitar Lesson

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Key C minor
The Mamas and the Papas - California Dreamin' guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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The Mamas and the Papas Folk Rock C minor
Capo Advisor 0 C minor · Original key

About California Dreamin'

"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John and Michelle Phillips, most famously recorded by The Mamas & the Papas and released as a single in December 1965. The track became one of the defining sounds of the 1960s folk-rock era. For electric guitar players, it offers a rewarding study in clean, melodic picking and chord progressions that sit at the crossroads of folk and rock, making it a versatile piece for developing fingerstyle and rhythm techniques.

  • The song was written by John and Michelle Phillips, a husband-and-wife songwriting duo at the heart of the Mamas & the Papas.
  • Released in December 1965, 'California Dreamin'' helped establish the West Coast folk-rock sound that influenced countless guitarists.
  • The chord progression blends folk simplicity with rock sensibility, making it an excellent study piece for transitioning between rhythm and lead guitar styles.

How to Play California Dreamin'

Tuning: E Standard · Key: C minor · Tempo: 96 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 96 BPM to build it up to tempo.

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