Travelin’ Man Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Travelin’ Man in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Eb – Cm – Eb – Cm
Travelin’ Man sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbICmviEbICmvi
- EbEb · G · Bb
- CmC · Eb · G
135 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Double-clap chords
Quick double claps on beats 2 and 4, leaving beats 1 and 3 empty. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Double-clap chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 130 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: Eb – Cm – Eb
The last chords are I – vi – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbCmEb

What chords are in Travelin’ Man?

The loop is Eb – Cm – Eb – Cm (I – vi – I – vi) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Cm – Eb.

What key is Travelin’ Man in?

Eb major, at about 130 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Travelin’ Man?

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

Is Travelin’ Man 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.