Avalon Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Avalon in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb
Avalon sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7EbIBb7V7EbI
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
414 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Boom-chick
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
Boom-chickStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pop stabsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 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: Eb – Bb7 – Eb
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbBb7Eb

What chords are in Avalon?

The loop is Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb (V7 – I – V7 – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Bb7 – Eb.

What key is Avalon in?

Eb major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Avalon?

Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Avalon 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.