Big Blue Note Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Big Blue Note in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Am – F – G
Big Blue Note sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviFIVGV
- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
95 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC

What chords are in Big Blue Note?

The loop is C – Am – F – G (I – vi – IV – V) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Big Blue Note in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Big Blue Note?

Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Big Blue Note 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.