I Sang Dixie Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn I Sang Dixie in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: A – E – B7 – E
I Sang Dixie sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; B7 is B, D#, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIVEIB7V7EI
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- B7B · D# · F# · A
72 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Pop seesaw
Two low notes, long then short, then a step up on beat 3. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
Pop seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
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.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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: E – B – E
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EBE
- BB · D# · F#

What chords are in I Sang Dixie?

The loop is A – E – B7 – E (IV – I – V7 – I) in E major, and the song ends on E – B – E.

What key is I Sang Dixie in?

E major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in I Sang Dixie?

Pop seesaw: root–fifth 1-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is I Sang Dixie 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.