Songwriter

Allen Toussaint piano songs

5 songs by Allen Toussaint, each opened like a recipe: the chords, what each hand plays and how it ends. Mostly played as ballad piano, lullaby piano in 6/8 and stride piano.

All These ThingsWritten by Allen Toussaint

Freedom For The StallionAllen Toussaint

Southern NightsWritten by Allen Toussaint

Working In The Coal MineWritten by Allen Toussaint

Every Allen Toussaint song

All These ThingsEb major · 6/8 · bVII7–I–vi–ii
Freedom For The StallionF major · 2/2 · ii–I–IV–I
Southern NightsF major · 4/4 · I–VI7–II7–IV
Working In The Coal MineBb major · 4/4 · I–V–I–V
Yes We Can CanF major · 4/4 · I7–I–I7–I

How Allen Toussaint is played

Ballad pianoSoft waves of sound for quiet evenings.
Lullaby piano in 6/8Rocking in sixes, like a boat on calm water.
Stride pianoA leaping left hand, ragtime style.
The ii–I–IV–I loop12 songs use it
The I–V–I–V loop144 songs use it

Questions about Allen Toussaint on piano

What are the easiest Allen Toussaint songs to play on piano?

Start with Freedom For The Stallion, Southern Nights and Working In The Coal Mine: their left hands are easy patterns, and the chords repeat.

What keys are Allen Toussaint songs in?

Most often F major, Eb major and Bb major.

Which chord progressions do Allen Toussaint songs use?

ii–I–IV–I and I–V–I–V come up most: learn them and many of these songs are within reach.