Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Silhouettes on piano
- F major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- I–vi–ii–V7 loop
- 1957
- Easy
Learn Silhouettes in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Dm – Gm – C7
Silhouettes sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIDmviGmiiC7V7- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 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.
- 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 90 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: Gm – C7 – F
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmC7F
Play next
Questions about Silhouettes
What chords are in Silhouettes?
The loop is F – Dm – Gm – C7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Gm – C7 – F.
What key is Silhouettes in?
F major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Silhouettes?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Silhouettes 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.