Beat It Guitar Chords — Michael Jackson | Key of E Minor

About This Song

Beat It by Michael Jackson (1982) is a rock-infused pop classic that sounds powerful on guitar with just three chords — Em, D, and C — in E Minor. The verse riff alternates Em and D relentlessly, building tension before resolving with a C–D–Em movement. The iconic Eddie Van Halen guitar solo is beyond beginner level, but the chord-based rhythm guitar part is very accessible. The D DU DU strumming pattern gives it that hard-driving rock feel. No capo is required. Focus on muting the strings cleanly between chord changes to capture that sharp, percussive quality of the original. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any jam session — and a favourite at JBX Music, Mumbai.