Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Lemon Tree on piano
Written by Will Holt
- E major
- 2/2
- 130 BPM
- I–V7–I–V7 loop
- 1960
- Easy
Learn Lemon Tree in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – B7 – E – B7
Lemon Tree sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; B7 is B, D#, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIB7V7EIB7V7- EE · G# · B
- B7B · D# · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Stair steps
Three notes climb up the chord in the island rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 438 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 130 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: E – Esus4 – E
The last chords are I – Isus – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EEsus4E- Esus4E · A · B
Play next
Questions about Lemon Tree
What chords are in Lemon Tree?
The loop is E – B7 – E – B7 (I – V7 – I – V7) in E major, and the song ends on E – Esus4 – E.
What key is Lemon Tree in?
E major, at about 130 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Lemon Tree?
Stair steps: broken chord 1-3-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Lemon Tree 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.