Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Elmer’s Tune on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 2/2
- 100 BPM
- 1941
- Medium
Learn Elmer’s Tune in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – F – C – Dm
Elmer’s Tune sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7FIVCIDmii- G7G · B · D · F
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Groovy chords
Chords jump around the “ands” for a funky, dancing feel. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: D7 – G7 – C
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
D7G7C- D7D · F# · A · C
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Questions about Elmer’s Tune
What chords are in Elmer’s Tune?
The loop is G7 – F – C – Dm (V7 – IV – I – ii) in C major, and the song ends on D7 – G7 – C.
What key is Elmer’s Tune in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Elmer’s Tune?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Elmer’s Tune 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.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.