Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Paper Doll on piano
By Johnny S. Black
- F major
- 4/4
- 76 BPM
- I–VI7–II7–V7 loop
- 2005
- Easy
Learn Paper Doll in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – D7 – G7 – C7
Paper Doll sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FID7VI7G7II7C7V7- FF · A · C
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Marching giant
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Musicians call it lh triads (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-knock chords
One chord, a long wait, then a quick knock-knock at the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 76 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Paper Doll
What chords are in Paper Doll?
The loop is F – D7 – G7 – C7 (I – VI7 – II7 – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Paper Doll in?
F major, at about 76 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Paper Doll?
Marching giant: lh triads, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Paper Doll 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.