Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Learnin’ The Blues on piano
Written by Dolores “Vicki” Silvers
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 140 BPM
- I–biio–ii–V7 loop
- 1955
- Easy
Learn Learnin’ The Blues in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Bdim – Cm – F7
Learnin’ The Blues sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Bdim is B, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIBdimbii°CmiiF7V7- BbBb · D · F
- BdimB · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
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.
- 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 140 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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
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Questions about Learnin’ The Blues
What chords are in Learnin’ The Blues?
The loop is Bb – Bdim – Cm – F7 (I – biio – ii – V7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is Learnin’ The Blues in?
Bb major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Learnin’ The Blues?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Learnin’ The Blues 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.