Private Dancer Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Private Dancer in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: F#m – E – D – E
Private Dancer sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F#m is F#, A and C#; E is E, G# and B; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
F#mviEVDIVEV
- F#mF# · A · C#
- EE · G# · B
- DD · F# · A
33 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island pulse
Three, three, two: the island rhythm in so many pop hits. Musicians call it root bass · tresillo 3-3-2 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Island pulseRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Sprint-and-stop chords
Four quick chords in the first half, then a calm, empty second half. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sprint-and-stop chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 130 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: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Private Dancer?

The loop is F#m – E – D – E (vi – V – IV – V) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.

What key is Private Dancer in?

A major, at about 130 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Private Dancer?

Island pulse: root bass · tresillo 3-3-2, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Private Dancer 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.