Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play I Hear Music on piano
Artist unknown
- F major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- Easy
Learn I Hear Music in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D – G7 – C7
I Hear Music sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D is D, F# and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiiiDVIG7II7C7V7- AmA · C · E
- DD · F# · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- C7C · E · 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: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Bb – C – F
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
- FF · A · C
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Questions about I Hear Music
What chords are in I Hear Music?
The loop is Am – D – G7 – C7 (iii – VI – II7 – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is I Hear Music in?
F major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in I Hear Music?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I Hear Music 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.