Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Wichita Lineman on piano
Written by Jimmy Webb
- F major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1968
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Wichita Lineman in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am7 – Am7 – D – G – Gm
How it goes
Wichita Lineman sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: Am7 is A, C, E and G; D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Am7iii7Am7iii7DVIGIIGmii- Am7A · C · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Push and land
How it goes
A push just before beat 3, then two calm landings. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
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Questions about Wichita Lineman
What chords are in Wichita Lineman?
The loop is Am7 – Am7 – D – G – Gm (iii7 – VI – II – ii – iii7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Wichita Lineman in?
F major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Wichita Lineman?
Push and land: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Wichita Lineman easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Wichita Lineman?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.