As Time Goes By Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn As Time Goes By in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G7 – Dm – G7 – C
As Time Goes By sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; Dm is D, F and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7DmiiG7V7CI
- G7G · B · D · F
- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
29 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Power fifths
Root and fifth together: big and bold. Musicians call it lh power fifths (left-hand chords), a medium pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Power fifthsLeft-hand chords · RockLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 72 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in As Time Goes By?

The loop is G7 – Dm – G7 – C (V7 – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is As Time Goes By in?

C major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in As Time Goes By?

Power fifths: lh power fifths, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is As Time Goes By 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.