Layla Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Layla in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Dm – Dm – Bb – C – Dm – Dm – Bb
How it goes
Layla sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CVDmviDmviBbIVCVDmviDmviBbIV
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- BbBb · D · F
39 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hand-clap chords
How it goes
Rests on beat 1, then clap-clap on 2 and one more clap on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hand-clap chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 116 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
- FF · A · C

What chords are in Layla?

The loop is C – Dm – Dm – Bb – C – Dm – Dm – Bb (V – vi – IV – V – vi – IV – V – vi) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is Layla in?

F major, at about 116 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Layla?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Layla easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Layla?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.