Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play The Ugly Bug Ball on piano
By Burl Ives
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1962
- Easy
Learn The Ugly Bug Ball in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Cdim – Dm – G7
The Ugly Bug Ball sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Cdim is C, Eb and Gb; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CICdimi°DmiiG7V7- CC · E · G
- CdimC · Eb · Gb
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Marching giant
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Musicians call it lh triads (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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 100 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about The Ugly Bug Ball
What chords are in The Ugly Bug Ball?
The loop is C – Cdim – Dm – G7 (I – io – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is The Ugly Bug Ball in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Ugly Bug Ball?
Marching giant: lh triads, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Ugly Bug Ball 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.