Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play N.Y.C. on piano
Written by Charles Strouse
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1977
- Easy
Learn N.Y.C. in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – C – Am – G
N.Y.C. sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7I7CIVAmiiGI- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Velvet jazz
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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 100 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: G – D7 – G
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GD7G- D7D · F# · A · C
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Questions about N.Y.C.
What chords are in N.Y.C.?
The loop is G7 – C – Am – G (I7 – IV – ii – I) in G major, and the song ends on G – D7 – G.
What key is N.Y.C. in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in N.Y.C.?
Velvet jazz: lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is N.Y.C. 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.