Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Je Ne Sais Pas on piano
Written by Louis Gaste
- C major
- 2/2
- 80 BPM
- 1953
- Easy
Learn Je Ne Sais Pas in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – B7 – C – G7
Je Ne Sais Pas sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; B7 is B, D#, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7B7VII7CIG7V7- G7G · B · D · F
- B7B · D# · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 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: Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
Play next
Questions about Je Ne Sais Pas
What chords are in Je Ne Sais Pas?
The loop is G7 – B7 – C – G7 (V7 – VII7 – I – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Je Ne Sais Pas in?
C major, at about 80 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Je Ne Sais Pas?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Je Ne Sais Pas 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.