When I’m Sixty-Four Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn When I’m Sixty-Four in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – F – Ab7 – Am7 – A – D7 – G7
When I’m Sixty-Four sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: F is F, A and C; Ab7 is Ab, C, Eb and Gb; Am7 is A, C, E and G; A is A, C# and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVFIVAb7bVI7Am7vi7AVID7II7G7V7
- FF · A · C
- Ab7Ab · C · Eb · Gb
- Am7A · C · E · G
- AA · C# · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
100 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Lub-dub chords
Two quick chords, a pause, two quick chords: just like a heartbeat. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Lub-dub chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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: F – G7 – C
The last chords are IV – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FG7C
- CC · E · G

What chords are in When I’m Sixty-Four?

The loop is F – F – Ab7 – Am7 – A – D7 – G7 (IV – bVI7 – vi7 – VI – II7 – V7 – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G7 – C.

What key is When I’m Sixty-Four in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in When I’m Sixty-Four?

Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is When I’m Sixty-Four easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of When I’m Sixty-Four?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.