Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Primrose Lane on piano
Written by Wayne Shanklin & George Callender
- G major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- V7–I–biio–ii loop
- 1958
- Easy
Learn Primrose Lane in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D7 – G – G#dim – Am
Primrose Lane sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D; G#dim is G#, B and D; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
D7V7GIG#dimbii°Amii- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- G#dimG# · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: G – D7 – G
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GD7G
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Questions about Primrose Lane
What chords are in Primrose Lane?
The loop is D7 – G – G#dim – Am (V7 – I – biio – ii) in G major, and the song ends on G – D7 – G.
What key is Primrose Lane in?
G major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Primrose Lane?
Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Primrose Lane 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.