How to play Etta’s Tune on piano

Learn Etta’s Tune in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – D – A – E
How it goes
Etta’s Tune sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; D is D, F# and A; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIDIVAIEV
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
- EE · G# · B
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Trampoline bounce
How it goes
Root, a jump up, a dip down, a jump up: a country-style bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5-12 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 257 songs of the library.
Trampoline bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Run-up chords
How it goes
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Run-up chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 125 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: D – E – A
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA

What chords are in Etta’s Tune?

The loop is A – D – A – E (I – IV – I – V) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.

What key is Etta’s Tune in?

A major, at about 125 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Etta’s Tune?

Trampoline bounce: broken chord 8-12-5-12, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Etta’s Tune 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.