Thinking Underage Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Thinking Underage in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – D – G – D
Thinking Underage sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: 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.
GIDVGIDV
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Hop-back bounce
High, low, then back up to stay: a simple, sturdy bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 171 songs of the library.
Hop-back bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Gospel-clap chords
Skips beat 1, then soulful chords that bounce off the “ands”. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Gospel-clap chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 126 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 – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Thinking Underage?

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

What key is Thinking Underage in?

G major, at about 126 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Thinking Underage?

Hop-back bounce: broken chord 8-5-8-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Thinking Underage 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.