Black, White, Tan Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Black, White, Tan in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – A – D – G
Black, White, Tan sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; A is A, C# and E; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVAVDIGIV
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
141 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Hopping heartbeat
Quick hops into the middle of the bar, then a rest on beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 143 songs of the library.
Hopping heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Push chordsSyncopated chords · RockRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 95 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

What chords are in Black, White, Tan?

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

What key is Black, White, Tan in?

D major, at about 95 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Black, White, Tan?

Hopping heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Black, White, Tan 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.