Rock Around The Clock Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Rock Around The Clock in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – C – F – C
Rock Around The Clock sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FICVFICV
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
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 112 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: Gm – C7 – F
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmC7F
- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb

What chords are in Rock Around The Clock?

The loop is F – C – F – C (I – V – I – V) in F major, and the song ends on Gm – C7 – F.

What key is Rock Around The Clock in?

F major, at about 112 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Rock Around The Clock?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Rock Around The Clock 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.