The Ludlows Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Ludlows in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – D – C – G
The Ludlows sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D 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.
GIVDICbVIIGIV
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
39 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Moon River roll
A wide, flowing roll in three, the Moon River feel. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10 (3/4) (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 441 songs of the library.
Moon River rollOpen arpeggio · WaltzLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 96 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: C – G – D
The last chords are bVII – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CGD

What chords are in The Ludlows?

The loop is G – D – C – G (IV – I – bVII – IV) in D major, and the song ends on C – G – D.

What key is The Ludlows in?

D major, at about 96 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in The Ludlows?

Moon River roll: open arpeggio 1-5-10 (3/4), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Ludlows easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.