Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Like A Rolling Stone on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 96 BPM
- IV–V–I–IV loop
- Easy
Learn Like A Rolling Stone in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – G – C – F
Like A Rolling Stone sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVGVCIFIV- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Run-up chords
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 96 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about Like A Rolling Stone
What chords are in Like A Rolling Stone?
The loop is F – G – C – F (IV – V – I – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Like A Rolling Stone in?
C major, at about 96 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Like A Rolling Stone?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Like A Rolling Stone 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.