Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Harper Valley P.T.A. on piano
Written by Tom T. Hall
- D major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 1967
- Easy
Learn Harper Valley P.T.A. in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D7 – G7 – A7 – D7
Harper Valley P.T.A. sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; A7 is A, C#, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
D7I7G7IV7A7V7D7I7- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- A7A · C# · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Double-tap drop
The same note twice, long then short, then a drop to a lower note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Harper Valley P.T.A.
What chords are in Harper Valley P.T.A.?
The loop is D7 – G7 – A7 – D7 (I7 – IV7 – V7 – I7) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Harper Valley P.T.A. in?
D major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Harper Valley P.T.A.?
Double-tap drop: broken chord 8-8-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Harper Valley P.T.A. 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.