Goodnight Tonight Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Goodnight Tonight in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Dm – Gm – C7
How it goes
Goodnight Tonight sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIDmviGmiiC7V7
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
160 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock hop
How it goes
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
Rock hopRoot bass rhythm · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Heartbeat chords
How it goes
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Heartbeat chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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
- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Goodnight Tonight?

The loop is F – Dm – Gm – C7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is Goodnight Tonight in?

F major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Goodnight Tonight?

Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Goodnight Tonight 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.