The Parting Glass Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Parting Glass in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – C – G – D
How it goes
The Parting Glass sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiCVIGIIIDVII
- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
54 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Stride jumps
How it goes
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
Stride jumpsStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
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.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 132 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: C – D – Em
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm

What chords are in The Parting Glass?

The loop is Em – C – G – D (i – bVI – bIII – bVII) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.

What key is The Parting Glass in?

E minor, at about 132 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in The Parting Glass?

Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Parting Glass 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.