Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play So What on piano
By Miles Davis
- C major
- 4/4
- 132 BPM
- 1959
- Easy
Learn So What in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am7 – F – Dm – C – Am7 – F – Dm – C
So What sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Am7 is A, C, E and G; F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Am7vi7FIVDmiiCIAm7vi7FIVDmiiCI- Am7A · C · E · G
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
- 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 132 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
Play next
Questions about So What
What chords are in So What?
The loop is Am7 – F – Dm – C – Am7 – F – Dm – C (vi7 – IV – ii – I – vi7 – IV – ii – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is So What in?
C major, at about 132 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in So What?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is So What easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of So What?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the bass riff of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.