Piano chords · Lullaby boat
How to play Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? on piano
By Traditional
- D major
- 6/8
- 99 BPM
- I–V7–I–V7 loop
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – A7 – D – A7
How it goes
Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; A7 is A, C#, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIA7V7DIA7V7- DD · F# · A
- A7A · C# · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Lilting climb
How it goes
Three notes climbing in a long-short swing, then a pause to ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (6/8) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 120 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 99 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: D – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D
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Questions about Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be?
What chords are in Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be??
The loop is D – A7 – D – A7 (I – V7 – I – V7) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.
What key is Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? in?
D major, at about 99 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be??
Lilting climb: broken chord 1-5-8 (6/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? 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.