Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Little Peter Punkin Eater on piano
Written by Emmett Langestron, Carl Moore & others
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 140 BPM
- I–IV–ii–I loop
- 1954
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Little Peter Punkin Eater in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Ab – Fm – Eb
How it goes
Little Peter Punkin Eater sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIAbIVFmiiEbI- EbEb · G · Bb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- FmF · Ab · C
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 140 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Little Peter Punkin Eater
What chords are in Little Peter Punkin Eater?
The loop is Eb – Ab – Fm – Eb (I – IV – ii – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is Little Peter Punkin Eater in?
Eb major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Little Peter Punkin Eater?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Little Peter Punkin Eater 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.