Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Massachusetts on piano
Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb & others
- G major
- 4/4
- 110 BPM
- I–ii–IV–I loop
- 1968
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Massachusetts in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Am – C – G
How it goes
Massachusetts sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIAmiiCIVGI- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
How it goes
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Massachusetts
What chords are in Massachusetts?
The loop is G – Am – C – G (I – ii – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Massachusetts in?
G major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Massachusetts?
Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Massachusetts 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.