Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play I Say It’s Spinach on piano
Written by Irving Berlin
- C major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1932
- Easy
Learn I Say It’s Spinach in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C7 – F – F#dim
I Say It’s Spinach sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; F#dim is F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIC7I7FIVF#dim#iv°- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- F#dimF# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords
Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about I Say It’s Spinach
What chords are in I Say It’s Spinach?
The loop is C – C7 – F – F#dim (I – I7 – IV – #ivo) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is I Say It’s Spinach in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in I Say It’s Spinach?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I Say It’s Spinach 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.