Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb – Gm – Cm – F7
Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D; Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIGmviCmiiF7V7
- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
160 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
Stride jumpsStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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 56 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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C

What chords are in Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208?

The loop is Bb – Gm – Cm – F7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 in?

Bb major, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208?

Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 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.