Oliver’s Army Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Oliver’s Army in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – D – E – A
Oliver’s Army sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; D is D, F# and A; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIDIVEVAI
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
- EE · G# · B
215 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Take-off climb
Two pushes on the root, then a climb up the chord to beat 4. Musicians call it broken chord 1-1-3-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 105 songs of the library.
Take-off climbBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Push-and-land chords
A push just before beat 3, then two calm landings. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Push-and-land chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 144 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: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA

What chords are in Oliver’s Army?

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

What key is Oliver’s Army in?

A major, at about 144 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Oliver’s Army?

Take-off climb: broken chord 1-1-3-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Oliver’s Army 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.