Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Toledo Surprise on piano
By Lisa Lambert
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1999
- Easy
Learn Toledo Surprise in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb
Toledo Surprise sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7EbIBb7V7EbI- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
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: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Toledo Surprise
What chords are in Toledo Surprise?
The loop is Bb7 – Eb – Bb7 – Eb (V7 – I – V7 – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is Toledo Surprise in?
Eb major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Toledo Surprise?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Toledo Surprise 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.