Long Black Train Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Long Black Train in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Bb – Eb – Bb – Gm
How it goes
Long Black Train sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIEbIVBbIGmvi
- BbBb · D · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
- GmG · Bb · D
26 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Pop seesaw
How it goes
Two low notes, long then short, then a step up on beat 3. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
Pop seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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: Eb – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- FF · A · C

What chords are in Long Black Train?

The loop is Bb – Eb – Bb – Gm (I – IV – I – vi) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Long Black Train in?

Bb major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Long Black Train?

Pop seesaw: root–fifth 1-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Long Black Train 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.