Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play A Little Bitty Tear on piano
Written by Hank Cochran
- F major
- 2/2
- 100 BPM
- I–I7–IV–iv loop
- 1960
- Easy
Learn A Little Bitty Tear in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – F7 – Bb – Bbm
A Little Bitty Tear sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Bbm is Bb, Db and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIF7I7BbIVBbmiv- FF · A · C
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- BbmBb · Db · F
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 100 BPM
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: F – C7 – F
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FC7F- C7C · E · G · Bb
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Questions about A Little Bitty Tear
What chords are in A Little Bitty Tear?
The loop is F – F7 – Bb – Bbm (I – I7 – IV – iv) in F major, and the song ends on F – C7 – F.
What key is A Little Bitty Tear in?
F major, at about 100 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in A Little Bitty Tear?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is A Little Bitty Tear 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.