Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Sugar Blues on piano
By Clyde McCoy and his Orchestra
- C major
- 2/2
- 110 BPM
- VI7–II7–V7–I loop
- 2004
- Easy
Learn Sugar Blues in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D7 – G7 – C
Sugar Blues sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7VI7D7II7G7V7CI- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 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 110 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- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Sugar Blues
What chords are in Sugar Blues?
The loop is A7 – D7 – G7 – C (VI7 – II7 – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Sugar Blues in?
C major, at about 110 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Sugar Blues?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sugar Blues 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.