Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play South Of The Border on piano
Written by Jimmy Kennedy & Michael Carr
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- I–ii–V7–I loop
- 1939
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn South Of The Border in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Fm – Bb7 – Eb
How it goes
South Of The Border sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIFmiiBb7V7EbI- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Three-step climb
How it goes
Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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
How it goes
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: Eb – Abm – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbAbmEb- AbmAb · Cb · Eb
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Questions about South Of The Border
What chords are in South Of The Border?
The loop is Eb – Fm – Bb7 – Eb (I – ii – V7 – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Abm – Eb.
What key is South Of The Border in?
Eb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in South Of The Border?
Three-step climb: broken chord 1-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is South Of The Border 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.