Allentown Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Allentown in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Em – D – G
Allentown sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Em is E, G and B; D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIVEmviDVGI
- CC · E · G
- EmE · G · B
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
19 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pumping chords
A chord on every eighth note, driving the song forward. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pumping chordsPumping 8ths · RockRight handMedium
4
Both hands at 112 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 – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG

What chords are in Allentown?

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

What key is Allentown in?

G major, at about 112 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Allentown?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Allentown easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.