Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 110 BPM
- V7–I–IV–I loop
- 1945
- Easy
Learn On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – C – F – C
On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7CIFIVCI- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
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Questions about On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe
What chords are in On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe?
The loop is G7 – C – F – C (V7 – I – IV – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe in?
C major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.