How to play Boston Burglar on piano

Learn Boston Burglar in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – Bm – G – D
How it goes
Boston Burglar sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Bm is B, D and F#; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIBmviGIVDI
- DD · F# · A
- BmB · D · F#
- GG · B · D
121 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
Boom-chickStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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: D – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D
- A7A · C# · E · G

What chords are in Boston Burglar?

The loop is D – Bm – G – D (I – vi – IV – I) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.

What key is Boston Burglar in?

D major, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Boston Burglar?

Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Boston Burglar 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.