It Goes Like It Goes Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn It Goes Like It Goes in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb – Ebm – Bb – Ebm
It Goes Like It Goes sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIEbmivBbIEbmiv
- BbBb · D · F
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
21 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lapping waves
A low note, then a high pair rocking like small waves in a waltz. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10-5-10-5 (3/4) (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 74 songs of the library.
Lapping wavesOpen arpeggio · WaltzLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz chordsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C

What chords are in It Goes Like It Goes?

The loop is Bb – Ebm – Bb – Ebm (I – iv – I – iv) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is It Goes Like It Goes in?

Bb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in It Goes Like It Goes?

Lapping waves: open arpeggio 1-5-10-5-10-5 (3/4), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is It Goes Like It Goes easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.