Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Pennies From Heaven on piano
By Dave Brubeck
- C major
- 4/4
- 155 BPM
- Easy
Learn Pennies From Heaven in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – Gsus4 – G7 – C
Pennies From Heaven sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; Gsus4 is G, C and D; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiGsus4Vsus4G7V7CI- DmD · F · A
- Gsus4G · C · D
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 155 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- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Pennies From Heaven
What chords are in Pennies From Heaven?
The loop is Dm – Gsus4 – G7 – C (ii – Vsus – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Pennies From Heaven in?
C major, at about 155 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Pennies From Heaven?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Pennies From Heaven 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.