Mrs. Robinson Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Mrs. Robinson in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – Em – G – Em
Mrs. Robinson sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviGIEmvi
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
135 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
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.
Lazy seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Sleep-in chords
Quiet for half the bar, then three chords wake up near the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sleep-in chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
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
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Mrs. Robinson?

The loop is G – Em – G – Em (I – vi – I – vi) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is Mrs. Robinson in?

G major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Mrs. Robinson?

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

Is Mrs. Robinson 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.