Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play High Blood Pressure on piano
Written by Huey P. Smith
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 126 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1967
- Easy
Learn High Blood Pressure in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb
High Blood Pressure sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7EbIBb7V7EbI- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Take-off climb
Two pushes on the root, then a climb up the chord to beat 4. Musicians call it broken chord 1-1-3-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 105 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 126 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about High Blood Pressure
What chords are in High Blood Pressure?
The loop is Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb (V7 – I – V7 – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is High Blood Pressure in?
Eb major, at about 126 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in High Blood Pressure?
Take-off climb: broken chord 1-1-3-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is High Blood Pressure 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.