Oleo Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Oleo in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb – Gm – Cm – F
Oleo sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D; Cm is C, Eb and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIGmviCmiiFV
- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- CmC · Eb · G
- FF · A · C
35 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Giant steps
A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking. Musicians call it lh chords (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Giant stepsLeft-hand chords · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wobbly chords
Two off-balance chords on the “ands”, then a firm landing on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wobbly chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 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 – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- EbEb · G · Bb

What chords are in Oleo?

The loop is Bb – Gm – Cm – F (I – vi – ii – V) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Oleo in?

Bb major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Oleo?

Giant steps: lh chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Oleo 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.