Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Up On The House Top on piano
Written by Benjamin Hanby
- C major
- 4/4
- 160 BPM
- V7–I–I7–IV loop
- 1953
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Up On The House Top in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – C – C7 – F
How it goes
Up On The House Top sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7CIC7I7FIV- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · 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: Push chords
How it goes
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
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: Dm – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C- DmD · F · A
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Questions about Up On The House Top
What chords are in Up On The House Top?
The loop is G7 – C – C7 – F (V7 – I – I7 – IV) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is Up On The House Top in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Up On The House Top?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Up On The House Top 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.