Piano chords · Lullaby boat
How to play Flower Of Scotland on piano
By Roy M. B. Williamson
- F major
- 6/8
- 99 BPM
- I–IV–I–IV loop
- 2008
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Flower Of Scotland in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Bb – F – Bb
How it goes
Flower Of Scotland sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIBbIVFIBbIV- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Hammock heartbeat
How it goes
Long-short, long-short: the low notes sway like a hammock. Musicians call it root bass · 6/8 lilt (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 128 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 99 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- CC · E · G
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Questions about Flower Of Scotland
What chords are in Flower Of Scotland?
The loop is F – Bb – F – Bb (I – IV – I – IV) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Flower Of Scotland in?
F major, at about 99 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Flower Of Scotland?
Hammock heartbeat: root bass · 6/8 lilt, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Flower Of Scotland 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.