Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Big Bad John on piano
By Jimmy Dean
- C major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- bVII–I–bVII–I loop
- 1961
- Easy
Learn Big Bad John in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – C – Bb – C
Big Bad John sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbbVIICIBbbVIICI- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Island zigzag
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 302 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 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Big Bad John
What chords are in Big Bad John?
The loop is Bb – C – Bb – C (bVII – I – bVII – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Big Bad John in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Big Bad John?
Island zigzag: broken chord 8-12-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Big Bad John 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.