Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Black Peter on piano
Written by Jerry Garcia
- D major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 1971
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Black Peter in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D7 – A7 – D7
How it goes
Black Peter sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7V7D7I7A7V7D7I7- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 90 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: G – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GA7D- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Black Peter
What chords are in Black Peter?
The loop is A7 – D7 – A7 – D7 (V7 – I7 – V7 – I7) in D major, and the song ends on G – A7 – D.
What key is Black Peter in?
D major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Black Peter?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Black Peter 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.