Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play The Eight Days Of Chanukah on piano
By David Grover & The Big Bear Band
- F major
- 2/2
- 80 BPM
- vi–V–vi–V loop
- 1991
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Eight Days Of Chanukah in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – C – Dm – C
How it goes
The Eight Days Of Chanukah sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmviCVDmviCV- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
Play next
Questions about The Eight Days Of Chanukah
What chords are in The Eight Days Of Chanukah?
The loop is Dm – C – Dm – C (vi – V – vi – V) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is The Eight Days Of Chanukah in?
F major, at about 80 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in The Eight Days Of Chanukah?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Eight Days Of Chanukah 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.