Alexander’s Ragtime Band Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Alexander’s Ragtime Band in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – C – C7 – F – Dm7 – E7 – G7
Alexander’s Ragtime Band sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Dm7 is D, F, A and C; E7 is E, G#, B and D; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CICIC7I7FIVDm7ii7E7III7G7V7
- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- E7E · G# · B · D
- G7G · B · D · F
18 songs go round the same chords
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.
Island seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
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.
Hopscotch chordsBlock chords · StrideRight handEasy
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: C – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C

What chords are in Alexander’s Ragtime Band?

The loop is C – C – C7 – F – Dm7 – E7 – G7 (I – I7 – IV – ii7 – III7 – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.

What key is Alexander’s Ragtime Band in?

C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Alexander’s Ragtime Band?

Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Alexander’s Ragtime Band 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 Alexander’s Ragtime Band?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.