Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Baker Street on piano
Written by Gerry Rafferty
- G major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 1978
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Baker Street in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – D – G7 – C – Asus4
How it goes
Baker Street sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: D is D, F# and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; Asus4 is A, D and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DVDVG7I7CIVAsus4IIsus4- DD · F# · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- Asus4A · D · E
- 2
Left hand: Tiptoe heartbeat
How it goes
One firm note, then three tiptoe steps between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 245 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Skipping-stone chords
How it goes
One chord, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- GG · B · D
Play next
Questions about Baker Street
What chords are in Baker Street?
The loop is D – D – G7 – C – Asus4 (V – I7 – IV – IIsus4 – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Baker Street in?
G major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Baker Street?
Tiptoe heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Baker Street easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Baker Street?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.