A Long Time Ago Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn A Long Time Ago in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – D – C – G
A Long Time Ago sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmviDVCIVGI
- EmE · G · B
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
51 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Push chordsSyncopated chords · RockRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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: Am – D – G
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AmDG
- AmA · C · E

What chords are in A Long Time Ago?

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

What key is A Long Time Ago in?

G major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in A Long Time Ago?

Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is A Long Time Ago 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.