Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play My Friend on piano
Artist unknown
- Bb major
- 3/4
- 110 BPM
- IV–V7–I–vi loop
- 1969
- Easy
Learn My Friend in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – F7 – Bb – Gm
My Friend sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVF7V7BbIGmvi- EbEb · G · Bb
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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: Eb – Ebm – Bb
The last chords are IV – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbEbmBb- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
Play next
Questions about My Friend
What chords are in My Friend?
The loop is Eb – F7 – Bb – Gm (IV – V7 – I – vi) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – Ebm – Bb.
What key is My Friend in?
Bb major, at about 110 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in My Friend?
Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is My Friend 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.