Broadway Melody Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Broadway Melody in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A7 – D – Em – A7
Broadway Melody 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; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7V7DIEmiiA7V7
- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
49 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
Stride jumpsStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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 160 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: E7 – A7 – D
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
E7A7D
- E7E · G# · B · D

What chords are in Broadway Melody?

The loop is A7 – D – Em – A7 (V7 – I – ii – V7) in D major, and the song ends on E7 – A7 – D.

What key is Broadway Melody in?

D major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Broadway Melody?

Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Broadway Melody 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.