By The Time I Get To Phoenix Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn By The Time I Get To Phoenix in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Eb – Fm – Eb – Fm
How it goes
By The Time I Get To Phoenix sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIFmiiEbIFmii
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
164 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
How it goes
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.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 92 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in By The Time I Get To Phoenix?

The loop is Eb – Fm – Eb – Fm (I – ii – I – ii) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.

What key is By The Time I Get To Phoenix in?

Eb major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in By The Time I Get To Phoenix?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is By The Time I Get To Phoenix 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.