Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Maggie Mae on piano
Artist unknown
- G major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- I–IV–I–V loop
- 1970
- Easy
Learn Maggie Mae in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – C – G – D
Maggie Mae sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GICIVGIDV- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Trampoline bounce
Root, a jump up, a dip down, a jump up: a country-style bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5-12 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 257 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 160 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 – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG
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Questions about Maggie Mae
What chords are in Maggie Mae?
The loop is G – C – G – D (I – IV – I – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Maggie Mae in?
G major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Maggie Mae?
Trampoline bounce: broken chord 8-12-5-12, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Maggie Mae 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.