Shakedown Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Shakedown in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: E7 – A – E7 – A
Shakedown sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E7 is E, G#, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
E7I7AIVE7I7AIV
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AA · C# · E
20 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Tiptoe seesaw
A low note, then the higher note tiptoes on every “and”. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 207 songs of the library.
Tiptoe seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
- BB · D# · F#
- EE · G# · B

What chords are in Shakedown?

The loop is E7 – A – E7 – A (I7 – IV – I7 – IV) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is Shakedown in?

E major, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Shakedown?

Tiptoe seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Shakedown 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.