Piano chords · Classical salon
How to play A Whale Of A Tale on piano
Artist unknown
- F major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1953
- Easy
Learn A Whale Of A Tale in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – F – C7 – F
A Whale Of A Tale sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7FIC7V7FI- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Bouncing Alberti
Low, high, middle, high on each beat: a bouncy, cheerful bass. Musicians call it alberti bass 1-8-5-8 (alberti bass), an easy pattern heard in 172 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch chords
Chord, chord, skip beat 3, chord: hopping over a square. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Gm – C7 – F
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmC7F- GmG · Bb · D
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Questions about A Whale Of A Tale
What chords are in A Whale Of A Tale?
The loop is C7 – F – C7 – F (V7 – I – V7 – I) in F major, and the song ends on Gm – C7 – F.
What key is A Whale Of A Tale in?
F major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in A Whale Of A Tale?
Bouncing Alberti: alberti bass 1-8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is A Whale Of A Tale 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.