Artist

Janis Joplin piano songs

5 songs by Janis Joplin, each opened like a recipe: the chords, what each hand plays and how it ends. Mostly played as pop piano, 50s doo-wop piano in 12/8 and rock piano.

Me And Bobby McGeeJanis Joplin

Ball And ChainJanis Joplin

Little Girl BlueJanis Joplin

Piece Of My HeartJanis Joplin

Every Janis Joplin song

Me And Bobby McGeeG major · 4/4 · I–V7–I–V7
Ball And ChainD major · 12/8 · IV7–I7–V7–IV7
Little Girl BlueAb major · 4/4 · IV–V–IV–I
Piece Of My HeartEb major · 2/2 · I–IV–V–IV
Turtle BluesD major · 12/8 · I–I7–IV–bVI7

How Janis Joplin is played

Pop pianoThe bounce under a thousand radio hits.
50s doo-wop piano in 12/8Triplet chords for a slow dance under the lights.
Rock pianoEighth notes that push like an engine.
The I–V7–I–V7 loop222 songs use it
The IV7–I7–V7–IV7 loop15 songs use it
The I–IV–V–IV loop49 songs use it

Questions about Janis Joplin on piano

What are the easiest Janis Joplin songs to play on piano?

Start with Me And Bobby McGee, Little Girl Blue and Piece Of My Heart: their left hands are easy patterns, and the chords repeat.

What keys are Janis Joplin songs in?

Most often D major, G major and Ab major.

Which chord progressions do Janis Joplin songs use?

I–V7–I–V7, IV7–I7–V7–IV7 and I–IV–V–IV come up most: learn them and many of these songs are within reach.