Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Blue Tango on piano
By Leroy Anderson
- D major
- 4/4
- 95 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1951
- Easy
Learn Blue Tango in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D – A7 – D
Blue Tango sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, 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.
A7V7DIA7V7DI- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 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- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
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Questions about Blue Tango
What chords are in Blue Tango?
The loop is A7 – D – A7 – D (V7 – I – V7 – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Blue Tango in?
D major, at about 95 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Blue Tango?
Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Blue Tango 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.