Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Chicago on piano
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Chicago in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am
How it goes
Chicago sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 12 chords: Am is A, C and E; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviDmiiAmviAmviDmiiAmviAmviDmiiAmviAmviDmiiAmvi- AmA · C · E
- DmD · F · A
- 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.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
How it goes
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
Play next
Questions about Chicago
What chords are in Chicago?
The loop is Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am – Am – Dm – Am (vi – ii – vi – ii – vi – ii – vi – ii – vi – ii – vi – ii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Chicago in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Chicago?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Chicago easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 12 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Chicago?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.