Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat Piano

When it comes to classic Broadway tunes, "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat" from the musical "Guys and Dolls" is hard to beat. From the upbeat melody to the catchy lyrics, this song has been popular for decades and is still a favorite among piano players of all skill levels. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the history of this iconic song, teach you how to play it on the piano, and offer tips for mastering the techniques that make it so special.

The History of "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat"

"Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat" was written by Frank Loesser and first appeared in the Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls" in 1950. The song is sung by the character Nicely-Nicely Johnson during the show's climactic scene in which he has a religious revelation and encourages the other gamblers to repent of their sinful ways.

The song's catchy lyrics and upbeat melody quickly made it a Broadway classic, and it has since been covered by countless artists, from Sammy Davis Jr. to The Jive Aces. In fact, it's so popular that it's often used as a shorthand for the entire musical, with many people associating the show primarily with this one song.

How to Play "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat" on Piano

Learning to play "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat" on the piano is relatively straightforward, even for beginners. The song is written in the key of C major and uses a simple, repetitive chord progression throughout. Here are the basic chords you'll need to know:

C major
F major
G7

The song starts with four bars of the C major chord, followed by two bars of F major and two bars of C major. The next four bars are split evenly between G7 and C major before the pattern repeats itself.

Once you've mastered the basic chord progression, the rest of the song is all about adding your own flair and interpretation. Listen to different recordings of the song to get a sense of different playing styles and techniques, and experiment with your own variations on the melody to make it your own.

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Piano Tutorial for "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat"

If you're new to piano or just need some extra help getting started, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn to play "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat." Here's a step-by-step tutorial to get you started:

Begin by playing the C major chord four times.
Next, play the F major chord twice, followed by two more C major chords.
Now, play the G7 chord for two bars, followed by two bars of C major.
Repeat the entire chord progression from the beginning.
Once you have the basic chord progression down, you can start experimenting with different rhythms and playing styles to make the song your own.

Piano Sheet Music and Chords for "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat"

If you prefer to learn by reading sheet music or playing from chords, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn "Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat." Here are a few popular options:

Conclusion

"Sit Down You Re Rocking The Boat" is a classic Broadway tune that has remained popular for decades. Whether you're a seasoned piano player or just starting out, learning to play this iconic song is a great way to hone your skills and deepen your appreciation for the art of music. So grab your sheet music or chord chart, sit down at the piano, and let the good times roll!