409 Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn 409 in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – C – G – D
How it goes
409 sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GICIVGIDV
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock’n’roll climb
How it goes
Up three chord notes and one step past: the 1950s rock’n’roll climb. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5-6 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 204 songs of the library.
Rock’n’roll climbBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
How it goes
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Freeze-tag chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
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

What chords are in 409?

The loop is G – C – G – D (I – IV – I – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is 409 in?

G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in 409?

Rock’n’roll climb: broken chord 1-3-5-6, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is 409 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.