Prodigal Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Prodigal in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: B – C#m – A – E
Prodigal sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: B is B, D# and F#; C#m is C#, E and G#; A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BVC#mviAIVEI
- BB · D# · F#
- C#mC# · E · G#
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
48 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: Sleep-in chords
Quiet for half the bar, then three chords wake up near the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sleep-in chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 92 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE

What chords are in Prodigal?

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

What key is Prodigal in?

E major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Prodigal?

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 Prodigal 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.