Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Line For Lyons on piano
By Gerry Mulligan
- G major
- 4/4
- 145 BPM
- 1954
- Easy
Learn Line For Lyons in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D7 – G – G#dim
Line For Lyons sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D; G#dim is G#, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiiD7V7GIG#dimbii°- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- G#dimG# · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Velvet jazz
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 145 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: C – D – G
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
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Questions about Line For Lyons
What chords are in Line For Lyons?
The loop is Am – D7 – G – G#dim (ii – V7 – I – biio) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Line For Lyons in?
G major, at about 145 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Line For Lyons?
Velvet jazz: lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Line For Lyons 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.