Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Baltimore Oriole on piano
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1942
- Easy
Learn Baltimore Oriole in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – C7 – D – Gm
Baltimore Oriole sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmviC7II7DIIIGmvi- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Marching giant
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Musicians call it lh triads (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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 80 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 – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Baltimore Oriole
What chords are in Baltimore Oriole?
The loop is Gm – C7 – D – Gm (vi – II7 – III – vi) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is Baltimore Oriole in?
Bb major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Baltimore Oriole?
Marching giant: lh triads, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Baltimore Oriole 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.