Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Hot Canary on piano
Written by Paul Nero
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- V7–I–I7–IV loop
- 1949
- Easy
Learn Hot Canary in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F7 – Bb – Bb7 – Eb
Hot Canary sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; 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.
F7V7BbIBb7I7EbIV- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 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 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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- FF · A · C
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Questions about Hot Canary
What chords are in Hot Canary?
The loop is F7 – Bb – Bb7 – Eb (V7 – I – I7 – IV) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is Hot Canary in?
Bb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Hot Canary?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hot Canary 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.