Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play The Wurlitzer Prize on piano
Written by Chips Moman & Bobby Emmons
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–ii–V7–I loop
- 1977
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Wurlitzer Prize in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Am – D7 – G
How it goes
The Wurlitzer Prize sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIAmiiD7V7GI- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
How it goes
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: G – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GDG- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about The Wurlitzer Prize
What chords are in The Wurlitzer Prize?
The loop is G – Am – D7 – G (I – ii – V7 – I) in G major, and the song ends on G – D – G.
What key is The Wurlitzer Prize in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Wurlitzer Prize?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Wurlitzer Prize 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.