Piano chords · Slow dance ’50s
How to play Take This Dirty Water on piano
Artist unknown
- G major
- 12/8
- 135 BPM
- IV–I–V–ii loop
- 2013
- Easy
Learn Take This Dirty Water in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – D – Am
Take This Dirty Water sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIVGIDVAmii- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Slow-dance heartbeat
Four slow, deep beats under a swaying fifties ballad. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 134 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 135 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: G – C – G
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GCG
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Questions about Take This Dirty Water
What chords are in Take This Dirty Water?
The loop is C – G – D – Am (IV – I – V – ii) in G major, and the song ends on G – C – G.
What key is Take This Dirty Water in?
G major, at about 135 beats a minute in 12/8.
What does the left hand play in Take This Dirty Water?
Slow-dance heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Take This Dirty Water 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.