Problem Girl Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Problem Girl in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Eb – F – Gm – Eb
Problem Girl sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVFVGmviEbIV
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- GmG · Bb · D
55 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Knock-knock footsteps
Step, then a quick knock-knock, a pause, and one last step. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 471 songs of the library.
Knock-knock footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Cartwheel chords
Five evenly spaced chords roll across the beats, then land on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Cartwheel chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in Problem Girl?

The loop is Eb – F – Gm – Eb (IV – V – vi – IV) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Problem Girl in?

Bb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Problem Girl?

Knock-knock footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Problem Girl 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.