Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Li'l Darlin' on piano
By Neal Hefti
- G major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- 1958
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Li'l Darlin' in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bm – E7 – A7 – Am
How it goes
Li'l Darlin' sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; E7 is E, G#, B and D; A7 is A, C#, E and G; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BmiiiE7VI7A7II7Amii- BmB · D · F#
- E7E · G# · B · D
- A7A · C# · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
How it goes
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
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 72 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: C – D – G
How it goes
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
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Li'l Darlin'
What chords are in Li'l Darlin'?
The loop is Bm – E7 – A7 – Am (iii – VI7 – II7 – ii) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Li'l Darlin' in?
G major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Li'l Darlin'?
Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Li'l Darlin' 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.