Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Little Darlin’ on piano
Artist unknown
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 140 BPM
- I–vi–ii–V7 loop
- Easy
Learn Little Darlin’ in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Gm – Cm – F7
Little Darlin’ sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D; 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.
BbIGmviCmiiF7V7- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Three-step climb
Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (broken chord), 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 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: Bb – Eb7 – Bb
The last chords are I – IV7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbEb7Bb- Eb7Eb · G · Bb · Db
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Questions about Little Darlin’
What chords are in Little Darlin’?
The loop is Bb – Gm – Cm – F7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Eb7 – Bb.
What key is Little Darlin’ in?
Bb major, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Little Darlin’?
Three-step climb: broken chord 1-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Little 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.