If you’re a Frank Ocean fan, chances are you’ve heard his soulful track “Chanel.” The song has captivated audiences with its introspective lyrics and smooth melody.
If you’re a pianist looking to learn how to play this song on the piano, you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, we’ll break down how to play “Chanel” on the piano step-by-step.
Getting Started
Before we dive into the specifics of playing “Chanel,” let’s first discuss what you’ll need. To learn how to play this song on the piano, you’ll need a basic understanding of piano chords and some experience playing piano. If you’re new to playing piano, it may be helpful to take some beginner lessons or practice some basic exercises before attempting this song.
The Chords
The first thing we need to do is identify the chords used in “Chanel.” The song uses four chords: Bbmaj7, Gb6/9, Abmaj7#11, and Dbmaj7. Let’s break down each chord:
Bbmaj7: This chord consists of Bb, D, F, and A notes. Gb6/9: This chord consists of Gb, Bb, Db, Eb, and Ab notes.
Abmaj7#11: This chord consists of Ab, C, E♭ , G and B notes. Dbmaj7: This chord consists of Db,F,A♭andC notes.
The Progression
Once you have the chords down pat individually let’s put them together in order. The progression is as follows:
- Bbmaj7 – 4 beats
- Gb6/9 – 4 beats
- Abmaj7#11 – 4 beats
- Dbmaj7 – 4 beats
- Bbmaj7 – 4 beats
- Gb6/9 – 4 beats
- Abmaj7#11 – 8 beats
The Melody
Now that we have the chords and progression down, it’s time to add the melody. The melody in “Chanel” is relatively simple and consists of a repeating pattern of three notes played in succession. The pattern is as follows:
- Bb – 2 beats
- D – 1 beat
- F – 1 beat
Repeat
Putting it All Together
Now that we have all the individual elements down, it’s time to put them together to play “Chanel” on the piano.
- Start by playing the Bbmaj7 chord for four beats.
- Add the melody by playing Bb-D-F in succession (two beats for Bb, one beat each for D and F).
Repeat for the next three chords:
Gb6/9
Abmaj7#11
Dbmaj7
Repeat the first four chords again:
Bbmaj7
Gb6/9
Abmaj7#11
Dbmaj7
Play the melody using the same pattern as before.
Finally, end with an extended Abmaj7#11 chord that lasts eight beats, without playing any melody notes.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to play “Chanel” by Frank Ocean on the piano.
Remember to start slow and gradually build up speed as you get more comfortable with the song. With some practice, you’ll be playing it like a pro in no time. Good luck!