Pieces › Accompanying real hits

Stand by Me

Ben E. King: A – F♯ minor – D – E

The Stand by Me chord chart, in A major (three sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯): A (two measures), F♯ minor (two measures), D, E, A (two measures).

The right hand plays on beats 2 and 4, like the handclaps on the record. The left hand lays down the bass.

The song: Ben E. King, 1961 · A major · ≈ 118 BPM

Tips

• A, F♯ minor and D all keep A under your thumb; only E moves.
• Slow down at first (75%): the record’s tempo is brisk.

Chords on 2 and 4

Rest on 1 and 3, chord on 2 and 4. The computer plays the bass.

Both hands

Bass on 1 and 3 (A, F♯, D, E), chord on 2 and 4: your hands take turns.