Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play That Lucky Old Sun on piano
By Bob Dylan
- C major
- 4/4
- 65 BPM
- 1949
- Easy
Learn That Lucky Old Sun in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – Am – Ab – C
That Lucky Old Sun sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiiiAmviAbbVICI- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- AbAb · C · Eb
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Run-up chords
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 65 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 – Fm – C
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CFmC- FmF · Ab · C
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Questions about That Lucky Old Sun
What chords are in That Lucky Old Sun?
The loop is Em – Am – Ab – C (iii – vi – bVI – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – Fm – C.
What key is That Lucky Old Sun in?
C major, at about 65 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in That Lucky Old Sun?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is That Lucky Old Sun 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.