Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Workin’ On A Groovy Thing on piano
Written by Neil Sedaka & Roger Atkins
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- ii–V7–I–ii loop
- 1968
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Workin’ On A Groovy Thing in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D7 – G – Am
How it goes
Workin’ On A Groovy Thing sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiiD7V7GIAmii- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Island pulse
How it goes
Three, three, two: the island rhythm in so many pop hits. Musicians call it root bass · tresillo 3-3-2 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Bouncy-ball chords
How it goes
One chord, then chords bouncing on every “and”, like a ball. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Workin’ On A Groovy Thing
What chords are in Workin’ On A Groovy Thing?
The loop is Am – D7 – G – Am (ii – V7 – I – ii) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Workin’ On A Groovy Thing in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Workin’ On A Groovy Thing?
Island pulse: root bass · tresillo 3-3-2, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Workin’ On A Groovy Thing 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.