How to play The Apple Tree on piano

Learn The Apple Tree in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: E7 – Am – E7 – Am
The Apple Tree sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E7 is E, G#, B and D; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
E7V7AmiE7V7Ami
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AmA · C · E
35 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: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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 – Am
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in The Apple Tree?

The loop is E7 – Am – E7 – Am (V7 – i – V7 – i) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.

What key is The Apple Tree in?

A minor, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in The Apple Tree?

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

Is The Apple Tree 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.