Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Yesterday When I Was Young on piano
By Charles Aznavour
- F major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- ii–V7–I–IV loop
- 1965
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Yesterday When I Was Young in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – C7 – F – Bb
How it goes
Yesterday When I Was Young sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiiC7V7FIBbIV- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 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 100 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- CC · E · G
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Questions about Yesterday When I Was Young
What chords are in Yesterday When I Was Young?
The loop is Gm – C7 – F – Bb (ii – V7 – I – IV) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Yesterday When I Was Young in?
F major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Yesterday When I Was Young?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Yesterday When I Was Young 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.