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How to Play "BY THE MARK" by Gillian Welch on Piano

Gillian Welch · Shared by Robert · 89 bars

  • C major
  • 4/4
  • 140 BPM
  • Easy
  • Melody + piano
Play the whole song

Your song map

0 / 16 parts learned

  1. Intro
  2. Verse 1
  3. Chorus 1
  4. Verse 2
  5. Instrumental
  6. Verse 3
  7. Chorus 2
  8. Verse 4
  9. Instrumental
  10. Verse 5
  11. Whole song
  • Learned
  • Selected
  • Now
  • To learn

What this song uses

Short warm-ups in the song's own key and chords. About a minute each, and you can skip them.

  1. The key

    C major

    Five-finger position on C, then the C major scale with both hands.

    About this scale
    Warm up, 1 min

  2. The chord loop

    C, G, F · I, V, IV

    The loop the song goes round most. Play each chord as a block, one bar each.

    C: C, E, G
    G: G, B, D
    F: F, A, C
    Warm up, 1 min

  3. The left hand

    Stride jumps

    Stride · Beginner

    Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps.

    About this pattern
    Warm up, 1 min
Warm up, then practiceSkip to the song

The song's recipe

Songs with the same left hand

Verse 1, part 1 · bars 9 to 13

Up next
  1. Right hand
  2. Left hand
  3. Both hands

What you need to know

Read from the song's own notes: the key, the beat, the chords, and what each hand plays.

Key and scale

C major

No sharps or flats

CDEFGAB

The C major scale

Time signature

4/4

4 beats in every bar, at 140 BPM

It starts with a pickup of 3 beats before the first full bar.

The chords you play

The song uses 4 chords, as the sheet music writes them.

Left hand

Bass notes

The piano's lower staff, as written: mostly one note at a time, about one a beat.

Range F2 to C4Step 2 on its ownStep 3 with the right hand

Right hand

The melody

The tune the singer sings, about one a beat.

Range E4 to C6Part by part

How to practice "BY THE MARK"

Learn "BY THE MARK" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 16 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

Every step is free to play
  1. Start hereThe melody

    Step 1: Right hand

    Listen, then play the melody with your right hand, with finger numbers.

    Open this step
  2. Lower staff

    Step 2: Left hand

    Your left hand learns the piano's lower staff, note for note, while the right hand plays softly so you hear where you are.

    Open this step
  3. Both staves

    Step 3: Both hands

    Both hands together, as written. When you can play it, press "I can play it" and the part is learned.

    Open this step

  4. Then play the whole song

    When you can play every part, play the full sheet music with its backing track in the player.

    Play the full song

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn "BY THE MARK" on the piano?

Learn "BY THE MARK" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 16 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

What key is "BY THE MARK" in?

"BY THE MARK" is in C major, which has no sharps or flats. The C major scale is C, D, E, F, G, A and B.

The C major scale

What are the chords in "BY THE MARK"?

The sheet music uses 4 chords: C5, G, F and G5.

What does the left hand play in "BY THE MARK"?

The piano's lower staff: mostly one note at a time, about one a beat, from F2 to C4. You learn it on its own first, with the right hand playing softly underneath, then with both hands.

What tempo is "BY THE MARK"?

"BY THE MARK" plays at 140 BPM in 4/4. Every step of the practice plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.

Is "BY THE MARK" hard to play on piano?

It is rated Easy. The melody goes from E4 up to C6. The practice splits it into parts of a few bars, one hand at a time, so you can learn it at your own pace.

How long should I practice each day?

A few minutes is enough. Choose 5, 10 or 15 minutes: the timer ends the session for you, and the next session picks up where you stopped.

Do I need to read sheet music?

No. The practice plays each part for you, one hand at a time, and shows its notes on the sheet and on a keyboard as they play, with finger numbers. Slow it down as much as you need.

Is it free?

Yes. Practicing is free. Sign in to keep your progress and your streak, and to get a daily reminder.

Where can I get the sheet music for "BY THE MARK"?

Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF.

Sheet music in the playerDownload the PDF