Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical) on piano
By Elton John
- C major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- I–V–vi–IV loop
- 2005
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – Am – F
How it goes
The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical) sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVAmviFIV- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
How it goes
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 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 72 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical)
What chords are in The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical)?
The loop is C – G – Am – F (I – V – vi – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical) in?
C major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical)?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Letter (from Billy Elliot: The Musical) 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.