Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Little Martha on piano
Written by Duane Allman
- E major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- V–vi–V–IV loop
- 1972
- Easy
Learn Little Martha in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: B – C#m – B – A
Little Martha sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: B is B, D# and F#; C#m is C#, E and G#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BVC#mviBVAIV- BB · D# · F#
- C#mC# · E · G#
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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 – B – E
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EBE- EE · G# · B
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Questions about Little Martha
What chords are in Little Martha?
The loop is B – C#m – B – A (V – vi – V – IV) in E major, and the song ends on E – B – E.
What key is Little Martha in?
E major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Little Martha?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Little Martha 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.