Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Saint James Infirmary on piano
Written by Joe Primrose
- D minor
- 2/2
- 104 BPM
- i–V7–i–V7 loop
- 2009
- Easy
Learn Saint James Infirmary in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – A7 – Dm – A7
Saint James Infirmary sits in D minor: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; A7 is A, C#, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiA7V7DmiA7V7- DmD · F · A
- A7A · C# · E · G
- 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.
- 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 104 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: Bb – C – Dm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCDm- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Saint James Infirmary
What chords are in Saint James Infirmary?
The loop is Dm – A7 – Dm – A7 (i – V7 – i – V7) in D minor, and the song ends on Bb – C – Dm.
What key is Saint James Infirmary in?
D minor, at about 104 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Saint James Infirmary?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Saint James Infirmary 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.