Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Deacon Blues on piano
By Steely Dan
- G major
- 4/4
- 125 BPM
- 1977
- Easy
Learn Deacon Blues in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – E7 – Bb7 – Am
Deacon Blues sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; E7 is E, G#, B and D; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FbVIIE7VI7Bb7bIII7Amii- FF · A · C
- E7E · G# · B · D
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Velvet jazz
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Heartbeat chords
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 125 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Deacon Blues
What chords are in Deacon Blues?
The loop is F – E7 – Bb7 – Am (bVII – VI7 – bIII7 – ii) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Deacon Blues in?
G major, at about 125 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Deacon Blues?
Velvet jazz: lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Deacon Blues 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 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.