The Fool On The Hill Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Fool On The Hill in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – D – Em – D
How it goes
The Fool On The Hill sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIDIEmiiDI
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
164 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
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.
Lazy footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in The Fool On The Hill?

The loop is D – D – Em – D (I – ii – I – ii) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is The Fool On The Hill in?

D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in The Fool On The Hill?

Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Fool On The Hill 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.

Can I hear the real melody of The Fool On The Hill?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.