Old Man Song Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Old Man Song in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: B – A – E – B
Old Man Song sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: B is B, D# and F#; A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BVAIVEIBV
- BB · D# · F#
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
92 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
Lazy seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
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 120 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE

What chords are in Old Man Song?

The loop is B – A – E – B (V – IV – I – V) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is Old Man Song in?

E major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Old Man Song?

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

Is Old Man Song 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.