Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Rubber Duckie on piano
Artist unknown
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- vi–ii–V7–I loop
- Easy
Learn Rubber Duckie in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – Cm – F7 – Bb
Rubber Duckie sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmviCmiiF7V7BbI- GmG · Bb · D
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: C7 – F7 – Bb
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
C7F7Bb- C7C · E · G · Bb
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Questions about Rubber Duckie
What chords are in Rubber Duckie?
The loop is Gm – Cm – F7 – Bb (vi – ii – V7 – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on C7 – F7 – Bb.
What key is Rubber Duckie in?
Bb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Rubber Duckie?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Rubber Duckie 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.