Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Peri's Scope on piano
By Bill Evans
- C major
- 4/4
- 145 BPM
- 1965
- Medium
Learn Peri's Scope in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – Am – Dm – G7
Peri's Scope sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiiiAmviDmiiG7V7- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Rolling waves
Rolls up to the high third and back down, like a wave on the shore. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10-5 (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 545 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 145 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
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Peri's Scope
What chords are in Peri's Scope?
The loop is Em – Am – Dm – G7 (iii – vi – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Peri's Scope in?
C major, at about 145 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Peri's Scope?
Rolling waves: open arpeggio 1-5-10-5, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Peri's Scope easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.