How to play Strike Up The Band on piano

Learn Strike Up The Band in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Bbm – Ebm – Bbm – Ebm
How it goes
Strike Up The Band sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbmiEbmivBbmiEbmiv
- BbmBb · Db · F
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
68 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
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.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 72 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 – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in Strike Up The Band?

The loop is Bbm – Ebm – Bbm – Ebm (i – iv – i – iv) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Strike Up The Band in?

Bb major, at about 72 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Strike Up The Band?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Strike Up The Band 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.