Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Dancin’ In The Moonlight on piano
Written by Sherman Kelly
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 130 BPM
- vi–ii–V7–I loop
- 1970
- Easy
Learn Dancin’ In The Moonlight in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Fm – Bb7 – Eb
Dancin’ In The Moonlight sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Fm is F, Ab and C; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmviFmiiBb7V7EbI- CmC · Eb · G
- FmF · Ab · C
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Tiptoe heartbeat
One firm note, then three tiptoe steps between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 245 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
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 130 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: Eb – Cm – Eb
The last chords are I – vi – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbCmEb
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Questions about Dancin’ In The Moonlight
What chords are in Dancin’ In The Moonlight?
The loop is Cm – Fm – Bb7 – Eb (vi – ii – V7 – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Cm – Eb.
What key is Dancin’ In The Moonlight in?
Eb major, at about 130 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Dancin’ In The Moonlight?
Tiptoe heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Dancin’ In The Moonlight 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.