Blue Monk Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Blue Monk in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – D7 – G – G7
How it goes
Blue Monk sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GID7V7GIG7I7
- GG · B · D
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
37 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Giant steps
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking. Musicians call it lh chords (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Giant stepsLeft-hand chords · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
4
Both hands at 82 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
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Blue Monk?

The loop is G – D7 – G – G7 (I – V7 – I – I7) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is Blue Monk in?

G major, at about 82 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Blue Monk?

Giant steps: lh chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Blue Monk 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.