Old Blue Chair Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Old Blue Chair in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb – F – Bb – C
How it goes
Old Blue Chair sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIVFIBbIVCV
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
15 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Seesaw bass
How it goes
Low, higher, low, higher on every beat: a steady seesaw. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 481 songs of the library.
Seesaw bassRoot–fifth bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Sprint-and-stop chords
How it goes
Four quick chords in the first half, then a calm, empty second half. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sprint-and-stop chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF

What chords are in Old Blue Chair?

The loop is Bb – F – Bb – C (IV – I – IV – V) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is Old Blue Chair in?

F major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Old Blue Chair?

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

Is Old Blue Chair 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.