Jim Crow Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Jim Crow in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Am – Em – Am – Em
How it goes
Jim Crow sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviEmiiiAmviEmiii
- AmA · C · E
- EmE · G · B
29 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island seesaw
How it goes
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 songs of the library.
Island seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Soft chordsBlock chords · BalladRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 BPM
How it goes
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
How it goes
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
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Jim Crow?

The loop is Am – Em – Am – Em (vi – iii – vi – iii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Jim Crow in?

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

What does the left hand play in Jim Crow?

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

Is Jim Crow 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.