How to play Rocky Raccoon on piano

Learn Rocky Raccoon in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Am – D7 – G7 – C
How it goes
Rocky Raccoon sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviD7II7G7V7CI
- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
13 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Oom-pah
How it goes
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Oom-pahStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords
How it goes
Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wait-a-beat chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 150 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Rocky Raccoon?

The loop is Am – D7 – G7 – C (vi – II7 – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Rocky Raccoon in?

C major, at about 150 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Rocky Raccoon?

Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Rocky Raccoon 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.