Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play The Ballad Of Blind Tom on piano
By Elton John
- G minor
- 4/4
- 86 BPM
- 2013
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Ballad Of Blind Tom in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – A – Cm – Gm
How it goes
The Ballad Of Blind Tom sits in G minor: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; A is A, C# and E; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiAIICmivGmi- GmG · Bb · D
- AA · C# · E
- CmC · Eb · G
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 86 BPM
How it goes
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: Eb – F – Gm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFGm- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
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Questions about The Ballad Of Blind Tom
What chords are in The Ballad Of Blind Tom?
The loop is Gm – A – Cm – Gm (i – II – iv – i) in G minor, and the song ends on Eb – F – Gm.
What key is The Ballad Of Blind Tom in?
G minor, at about 86 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Ballad Of Blind Tom?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Ballad Of Blind Tom 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.