Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Abilene on piano
By George Hamilton IV
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1960
- Easy
Learn Abilene in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D7 – G – C
Abilene sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7II7D7V7GICIV- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: G – C – G
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GCG
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Questions about Abilene
What chords are in Abilene?
The loop is A7 – D7 – G – C (II7 – V7 – I – IV) in G major, and the song ends on G – C – G.
What key is Abilene in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Abilene?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Abilene 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.