Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Mack The Knife on piano
Written by Marc Blitzstein
- C major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1928
- Easy
Learn Mack The Knife in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C – Dm – Dm – Dm7
Mack The Knife sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; Dm7 is D, F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CICIDmiiDmiiDm7ii7- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), 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 120 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 – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about Mack The Knife
What chords are in Mack The Knife?
The loop is C – C – Dm – Dm – Dm7 (I – ii – ii7 – I – ii) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is Mack The Knife in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Mack The Knife?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mack The Knife easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Mack The Knife?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.