Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Auld Lang Syne on piano
By Traditional
- G major
- 4/4
- 108 BPM
- I–I7–IV–I loop
- Easy
Learn Auld Lang Syne in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – G7 – C – G
Auld Lang Syne sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIG7I7CIVGI- GG · B · D
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Velvet jazz
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hand-clap chords
Rests on beat 1, then clap-clap on 2 and one more clap on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 108 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: Am – D7 – G
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AmD7G- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
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Questions about Auld Lang Syne
What chords are in Auld Lang Syne?
The loop is G – G7 – C – G (I – I7 – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on Am – D7 – G.
What key is Auld Lang Syne in?
G major, at about 108 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Auld Lang Syne?
Velvet jazz: lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Auld Lang Syne 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 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.