Piano chords · Old-time stride

How to play Memories (from 'lion') on piano

By Dustin O'Halloran & Hauschka

Tuning the piano…

Learn it

Learn Memories (from 'lion') in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Dm – Dm – C – C
How it goes
Memories (from 'lion') sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiDmiiCICI
- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
2
Left hand: Oom-pah
How it goes
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Oom-pahStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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.
Steady chordsBlock 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Memories (from 'lion')?

The loop is Dm – Dm – C – C (ii – I – ii – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Memories (from 'lion') in?

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

What does the left hand play in Memories (from 'lion')?

Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Memories (from 'lion') 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.

Can I hear the real melody of Memories (from 'lion')?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune 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.