Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) on piano
By Edith Piaf
- C major
- 3/4
- 105 BPM
- 1960
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – A – D – C
How it goes
Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; A is A, C# and E; D is 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.
EIIIAVIDIICI- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
How it goes
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Bouncy bells
How it goes
A high bell note, then chords bouncing on every “and”. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 105 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
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Questions about Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano)
What chords are in Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano)?
The loop is E – A – D – C (III – VI – II – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) in?
C major, at about 105 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano)?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) 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.