Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Sioux City Sue on piano
By Gene Autry
- F major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1945
- Easy
Learn Sioux City Sue in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – Cdim – C7 – Ddim
Sioux City Sue sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Cdim is C, Eb and Gb; Ddim is D, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7Cdimv°C7V7Ddimvi°- C7C · E · G · Bb
- CdimC · Eb · Gb
- DdimD · F · Ab
- 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 120 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 – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
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Questions about Sioux City Sue
What chords are in Sioux City Sue?
The loop is C7 – Cdim – C7 – Ddim (V7 – vo – V7 – vio) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Sioux City Sue in?
F major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Sioux City Sue?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sioux City Sue 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.