Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Hill Street Blues Theme on piano
By Mike Post
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- I–V–I–V loop
- 1981
- Easy
Learn Hill Street Blues Theme in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Bb – Eb – Bb
Hill Street Blues Theme sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIBbVEbIBbV- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Hurry-and-wait pulse
Three quick notes rush out early, then the bass waits for the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Swing push
Three chords tumble out early with a swing, then the bar breathes. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: Eb – Bb – Eb
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbBbEb
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Questions about Hill Street Blues Theme
What chords are in Hill Street Blues Theme?
The loop is Eb – Bb – Eb – Bb (I – V – I – V) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Bb – Eb.
What key is Hill Street Blues Theme in?
Eb major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hill Street Blues Theme?
Hurry-and-wait pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hill Street Blues Theme 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.