Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Gentle On My Mind on piano
Written by John Hartford
- C major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- I–ii–V7–I loop
- 1967
- Easy
Learn Gentle On My Mind in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – G7 – C
Gentle On My Mind sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIDmiiG7V7CI- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C
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Questions about Gentle On My Mind
What chords are in Gentle On My Mind?
The loop is C – Dm – G7 – C (I – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is Gentle On My Mind in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Gentle On My Mind?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Gentle On My Mind 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.