Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Air On The G String on piano
- D major
- 2/2
- 100 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Air On The G String in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F#m – Bm7 – Bm – D – D – Em – Em7
How it goes
Air On The G String sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: F#m is F#, A and C#; Bm7 is B, D, F# and A; Bm is B, D and F#; D is D, F# and A; Em is E, G and B; Em7 is E, G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
F#miiiBm7vi7BmviDIDIEmiiEm7ii7- F#mF# · A · C#
- Bm7B · D · F# · A
- BmB · D · F#
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
- Em7E · G · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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
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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
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Questions about Air On The G String
What chords are in Air On The G String?
The loop is F#m – Bm7 – Bm – D – D – Em – Em7 (iii – vi7 – vi – I – ii – ii7 – iii) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Air On The G String in?
D major, at about 100 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Air On The G String?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Air On The G String easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Air On The G String?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.