Mother Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Mother in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – E – F#m – E
Mother sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIEVF#mviEV
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
64 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Tiptoe seesaw
A low note, then the higher note tiptoes on every “and”. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 207 songs of the library.
Tiptoe seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
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 60 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: E – D – A
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EDA
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Mother?

The loop is A – E – F#m – E (I – V – vi – V) in A major, and the song ends on E – D – A.

What key is Mother in?

A major, at about 60 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Mother?

Tiptoe seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Mother 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.