John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Bb – F – C7
How it goes
John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIBbIVFIC7V7
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
94 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Tiptoe seesaw
How it goes
A low note, then the higher note tiptoes on every “and”. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 207 songs of the library.
Tiptoe seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight 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 – Bb – F
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FBbF

What chords are in John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man?

The loop is F – Bb – F – C7 (I – IV – I – V7) in F major, and the song ends on F – Bb – F.

What key is John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man in?

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

What does the left hand play in John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man?

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

Is John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man 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.