Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play A Hundred Pounds Of Clay on piano
By Gene McDaniels
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 100 BPM
- I–vi–ii–V7 loop
- 1961
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn A Hundred Pounds Of Clay in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Gm – Cm – F7
How it goes
A Hundred Pounds Of Clay sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D; Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIGmviCmiiF7V7- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Bounce-back seesaw
How it goes
Low, low, a hop up on beat 3, and straight back down. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 173 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. 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: Bb – Eb – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbEbBb- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about A Hundred Pounds Of Clay
What chords are in A Hundred Pounds Of Clay?
The loop is Bb – Gm – Cm – F7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Eb – Bb.
What key is A Hundred Pounds Of Clay in?
Bb major, at about 100 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in A Hundred Pounds Of Clay?
Bounce-back seesaw: root–fifth 1-1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is A Hundred Pounds Of Clay 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.