Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Jesse on piano
Written by Janis Ian
- C major
- 3/4
- 110 BPM
- VI7–ii–V7–I loop
- 1972
- Easy
Learn Jesse in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – Dm – G7 – C
Jesse sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7VI7DmiiG7V7CI- A7A · C# · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Moonlit climb
Three notes rising to a soft, jazzy top note in three, left to ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-7 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 211 songs of the library.
- 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.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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
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Questions about Jesse
What chords are in Jesse?
The loop is A7 – Dm – G7 – C (VI7 – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Jesse in?
C major, at about 110 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Jesse?
Moonlit climb: broken chord 1-5-7 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Jesse 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.