Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Barnacle Bill The Sailor on piano
By Frank Luther
- D major
- 6/8
- 120 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1928
- Easy
Learn Barnacle Bill The Sailor in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D – A7 – D
Barnacle Bill The Sailor sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7V7DIA7V7DI- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: D – A7 – D
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D
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Questions about Barnacle Bill The Sailor
What chords are in Barnacle Bill The Sailor?
The loop is A7 – D – A7 – D (V7 – I – V7 – I) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.
What key is Barnacle Bill The Sailor in?
D major, at about 120 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Barnacle Bill The Sailor?
Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Barnacle Bill The Sailor 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.