Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Last Night When We Were Young on piano
By E.Y. Harburg
- G major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1937
- Easy
Learn Last Night When We Were Young in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – C7 – Bm – F7
Last Night When We Were Young sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Bm is B, D and F#; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIC7IV7BmiiiF7bVII7- GG · B · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- BmB · D · F#
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Giant steps
A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking. Musicians call it lh chords (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Last Night When We Were Young
What chords are in Last Night When We Were Young?
The loop is G – C7 – Bm – F7 (I – IV7 – iii – bVII7) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Last Night When We Were Young in?
G major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Last Night When We Were Young?
Giant steps: lh chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Last Night When We Were Young 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.