Telling Stories Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Telling Stories in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – C – G – D
Telling Stories sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiCVIGIIIDVII
- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
54 songs go round the same chords
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.
Stride jumpsStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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 126 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: C – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm

What chords are in Telling Stories?

The loop is Em – C – G – D (i – bVI – bIII – bVII) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.

What key is Telling Stories in?

E minor, at about 126 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Telling Stories?

Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Telling Stories 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.