Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play C.C. Rider on piano
Artist unknown
- A major
- 4/4
- 160 BPM
- I7–IV–I7–IV loop
- 1970
- Easy
Learn C.C. Rider 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
C.C. Rider sits in A major: A 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.
A7I7DIVA7I7DIV- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Lingering chords
Two chords, then a late one after beat 3 that hangs in the air. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
Play next
Questions about C.C. Rider
What chords are in C.C. Rider?
The loop is A7 – D – A7 – D (I7 – IV – I7 – IV) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.
What key is C.C. Rider in?
A major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in C.C. Rider?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is C.C. Rider 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.