Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Pearly Shells on piano
By Don Ho
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1962
- Easy
Learn Pearly Shells in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Ebm – Bb – F7
Pearly Shells sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVEbmivBbIF7V7- EbEb · G · Bb
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), 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: Bb – Eb – Bb
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbEbBb
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Questions about Pearly Shells
What chords are in Pearly Shells?
The loop is Eb – Ebm – Bb – F7 (IV – iv – I – V7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Eb – Bb.
What key is Pearly Shells in?
Bb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Pearly Shells?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Pearly Shells 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.