Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Real Friends on piano
- C minor
- 4/4
- 92 BPM
- i–iv–bVII–bIII loop
- 2017
- Easy
Learn Real Friends in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb
Real Friends sits in C minor: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Fm is F, Ab and C; Bb is Bb, D and F; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmiFmivBbVIIEbIII- CmC · Eb · G
- FmF · Ab · C
- BbBb · D · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 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 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: Ab – Bb – Cm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbCm- AbAb · C · Eb
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Questions about Real Friends
What chords are in Real Friends?
The loop is Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb (i – iv – bVII – bIII) in C minor, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Cm.
What key is Real Friends in?
C minor, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Real Friends?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Real Friends 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.