Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Son-Of-A-Preacher Man on piano
Artist unknown
- E major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 1968
- Easy
Learn Son-Of-A-Preacher Man in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – A – E – E – A – E
Son-Of-A-Preacher Man sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: E is E, G# and B; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIAIVEIEIAIVEI- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Run-up chords
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: E – A – E
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EAE
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Questions about Son-Of-A-Preacher Man
What chords are in Son-Of-A-Preacher Man?
The loop is E – A – E – E – A – E (I – IV – I – IV – I – IV) in E major, and the song ends on E – A – E.
What key is Son-Of-A-Preacher Man in?
E major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Son-Of-A-Preacher Man?
Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Son-Of-A-Preacher Man easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Son-Of-A-Preacher Man?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.