Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Chicago on piano
- D minor
- 4/4
- 88 BPM
- 2014
- Easy
Learn Chicago in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm7 – Gm7 – C – C
Chicago sits in D minor: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm7 is G, Bb, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Gm7iv7Gm7iv7CVIICVII- Gm7G · Bb · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 88 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: Bb – C – Dm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCDm- BbBb · D · F
- DmD · F · A
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Questions about Chicago
What chords are in Chicago?
The loop is Gm7 – Gm7 – C – C (iv7 – VII – iv7 – VII) in D minor, and the song ends on Bb – C – Dm.
What key is Chicago in?
D minor, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Chicago?
Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), 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 4 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 catchy part 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.