Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog on piano
Written by Gene Evans
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- IV–I–V–I loop
- 1953
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Bb – F – Bb
How it goes
Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVBbIFVBbI- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
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.
- 3
Right hand: Skip-and-stroll chords
How it goes
A skippy push at the start, then calm chords on 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 BPM
How it goes
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
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
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Questions about Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog
What chords are in Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog?
The loop is Eb – Bb – F – Bb (IV – I – V – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog in?
Bb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Barney, The Bashful Bullfrog 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.