Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Operator on piano
Written by Ron McKernan
- F major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 1970
- Easy
Learn Operator in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – C – F
Operator sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CVDmviCVFI- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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: F – C – F
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FCF
Play next
Questions about Operator
What chords are in Operator?
The loop is C – Dm – C – F (V – vi – V – I) in F major, and the song ends on F – C – F.
What key is Operator in?
F major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Operator?
Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Operator 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.