Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time) on piano
By Elton John
- Bb major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – Gm – C7 – C7
How it goes
Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time) sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmviGmviC7II7C7II7- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 135 BPM
How it goes
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: Bb – Eb – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbEbBb- BbBb · D · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time)
What chords are in Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time)?
The loop is Gm – Gm – C7 – C7 (vi – II7 – vi – II7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Eb – Bb.
What key is Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time) in?
Bb major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time)?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time) 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be A Long Long Time)?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.