Young Americans Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Young Americans in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Dm – F – G
Young Americans sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIDmiiFIVGV
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
32 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Knocking drop
Three pushes on the same note, then a drop on beat 4. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 210 songs of the library.
Knocking dropBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Bossa chordsSyncopated chords · Bossa novaRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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 – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC

What chords are in Young Americans?

The loop is C – Dm – F – G (I – ii – IV – V) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Young Americans in?

C major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Young Americans?

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

Is Young Americans 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.