The Bargain Store Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Bargain Store in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Am – D – Am – D
How it goes
The Bargain Store sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiDIVAmiDIV
- AmA · C · E
- DD · F# · A
34 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bluesy shrug
How it goes
A long root, then down and back up to a bluesy note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-7 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 73 songs of the library.
Bluesy shrugBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: F – G – Am
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in The Bargain Store?

The loop is Am – D – Am – D (i – IV – i – IV) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.

What key is The Bargain Store in?

A minor, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in The Bargain Store?

Bluesy shrug: broken chord 8-5-7, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Bargain Store easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.