Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Man Down on piano
Written by Shontelle Layne, Theron Thomas & others
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 156 BPM
- vi–V–vi–V loop
- 2010
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Man Down in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Bb – Cm – Bb
How it goes
Man Down sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmviBbVCmviBbV- CmC · Eb · G
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 156 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about Man Down
What chords are in Man Down?
The loop is Cm – Bb – Cm – Bb (vi – V – vi – V) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is Man Down in?
Eb major, at about 156 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Man Down?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Man Down 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.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.