Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Buffalo Skinners on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- I–I7–IV–I loop
- 1934
- Easy
Learn Buffalo Skinners in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C7 – F – C
Buffalo Skinners sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIC7I7FIVCI- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
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.
- 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 90 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: C – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about Buffalo Skinners
What chords are in Buffalo Skinners?
The loop is C – C7 – F – C (I – I7 – IV – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is Buffalo Skinners in?
C major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Buffalo Skinners?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Buffalo Skinners 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.