The Marching Line Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Marching Line in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – E – A – E
How it goes
The Marching Line sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIEVAIEV
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lullaby seesaw
How it goes
A low note, then gentle higher notes between the beats of a waltz. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (3/4) (root–fifth bass), a medium pattern heard in 48 songs of the library.
Lullaby seesawRoot–fifth bass · WaltzLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: Waltz chords
How it goes
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz chordsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 96 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: A – E – A
How it goes
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AEA

What chords are in The Marching Line?

The loop is A – E – A – E (I – V – I – V) in A major, and the song ends on A – E – A.

What key is The Marching Line in?

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

What does the left hand play in The Marching Line?

Lullaby seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (3/4), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Marching Line 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.