Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap on piano
Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & others
- G major
- 4/4
- 130 BPM
- 1976
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – D – E – D
How it goes
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EVIDVEVIDV- EE · G# · B
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Lingering footsteps
How it goes
Two steps, then one late note after beat 3 that hangs in the air. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 133 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 130 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
What chords are in Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?
The loop is E – D – E – D (VI – V5 – VI – V5) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in?
G major, at about 130 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?
Lingering footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 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.