Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Music Box Dancer on piano
By Frank Mills
- C major
- 4/4
- 134 BPM
- I–IV–I–V7 loop
- 1974
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Music Box Dancer in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – F – C – G7
How it goes
Music Box Dancer sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIFIVCIG7V7- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Marching giant
How it goes
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Musicians call it lh triads (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 134 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 – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C
Play next
Questions about Music Box Dancer
What chords are in Music Box Dancer?
The loop is C – F – C – G7 (I – IV – I – V7) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is Music Box Dancer in?
C major, at about 134 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Music Box Dancer?
Marching giant: lh triads, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Music Box Dancer 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 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.