Black Velvet Band Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Black Velvet Band in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – Em – C – D
How it goes
Black Velvet Band sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviCIVDV
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
95 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lapping waves
How it goes
A low note, then a high pair rocking like small waves in a waltz. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10-5-10-5 (3/4) (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 74 songs of the library.
Lapping wavesOpen arpeggio · WaltzLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: Sleepy waltz chords
How it goes
A long chord, then a double on beat 3: a lazy, rocking waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sleepy waltz chordsSyncopated chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 110 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG

What chords are in Black Velvet Band?

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

What key is Black Velvet Band in?

G major, at about 110 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Black Velvet Band?

Lapping waves: open arpeggio 1-5-10-5-10-5 (3/4), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Black Velvet Band easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.