Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Middle Of The Road on piano
Written by Chrissie Hynde
- C major
- 4/4
- 160 BPM
- 1983
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Middle Of The Road in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – A – G – E
How it goes
Middle Of The Road sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; A is A, C# and E; G is G, B and D; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAVIGVEIII- CC · E · G
- AA · C# · E
- GG · B · D
- EE · G# · B
- 2
Left hand: Rock hop
How it goes
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
How it goes
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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
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Questions about Middle Of The Road
What chords are in Middle Of The Road?
The loop is C – A – G – E (I – VI – V – III) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Middle Of The Road in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Middle Of The Road?
Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Middle Of The Road 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.