Dear John Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Dear John in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: E – Asus4 – E – Asus4
Dear John sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; Asus4 is A, D and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIAsus4IVsus4EIAsus4IVsus4
- EE · G# · B
- Asus4A · D · E
30 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz roots
One low note on each of the three beats: a simple waltz floor. Musicians call it root bass · 3/4 quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 391 songs of the library.
Waltz rootsRoot bass rhythm · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Chattering waltz
After the first beat, quick chords and notes chatter to the end of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Chattering waltzSyncopated chords · WaltzRight handMedium
4
Both hands at 120 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#

What chords are in Dear John?

The loop is E – Asus4 – E – Asus4 (I – IVsus – I – IVsus) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is Dear John in?

E major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Dear John?

Waltz roots: root bass · 3/4 quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Dear John easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.