Shilo Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Shilo in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Csus4 – C – Csus4 – C
Shilo sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Csus4 is C, F and G; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Csus4Isus4CICsus4Isus4CI
- Csus4C · F · G
- CC · E · G
37 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Patient seesaw
Three low notes wait their turn, then one step up on beat 4. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 195 songs of the library.
Patient seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pop stabsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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: C – Csus4 – C
The last chords are I – Isus – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CCsus4C

What chords are in Shilo?

The loop is Csus4 – C – Csus4 – C (Isus – I – Isus – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – Csus4 – C.

What key is Shilo in?

C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Shilo?

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

Is Shilo 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.