Boogie Woogie, Part IV

Now, let's add some right hand. We'll start with three simple chords. Again, as always, the idea is to groove, so although the chords seem quite easy, it may not be as easy to make the song swing.

We're going to play a different chord for each of the positions of the left hand. For the position with C on the bottom, we are going to play a C chord in the right hand:

C, E, G

Play middle C with the thumb, E with the middle finger, and G with the pinky of the right hand.

For the left hand position with F on the bottom, we are going to play an F chord in the right hand:

C, F, A

The thumb stays on the same note. The third and pinky fingers slide one note to the right. As a theoretical note, this F chord is in second inversion. That's why it has a C on the bottom instead of an F.

For the left hand position with G on the bottom, we are going to play a G chord in the right hand:

B, D, G

The thumb plays B, the index finger plays D, and the pinky plays G. Another theoretical note: This G chord is in first inversion. That's why it has a B on the bottom instead of a G.

Now, let's put it all together. Recall our rhyme that imitates the boogie woogie rhythm?

One potato, two potato, three potato, four potato, five potato.....

Below is the left hand pattern, with the right hand added. Play the chord on the bold letters. Note that every other line you do not play a right hand chord:

One po-ta-to
C-G C-G, C-A C-A (2 right hand chords)

Two po-ta-to
C-G C-G, C-A C-A (no right hand chords)

etc...
C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

G-D G-D, G-E G-E

G-D G-D, G-E G-E

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

F-C F-C, F-D F-D

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

C-G C-G, C-A C-A

This will really sound great when you play it right.

You know you've got it when your head starts bobbing and you're whispering to yourself, "Yeah, yeah!"

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