Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Black Betty on piano
Artist unknown
- D major
- 4/4
- 116 BPM
- Easy
Learn Black Betty in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: B – B7 – B – B7
Black Betty sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: B is B, D# and F#; B7 is B, D#, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BVIB7VI7BVIB7VI7- BB · D# · F#
- B7B · D# · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 116 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Black Betty
What chords are in Black Betty?
The loop is B – B7 – B – B7 (VI5 – VI7 – VI5 – VI7) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Black Betty in?
D major, at about 116 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Black Betty?
Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Black Betty 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.