How to Play "Paper Doll" by Johnny S. Black on Piano
“Paper Doll” is in F major, 4/4 time, at 92 BPM. This lesson teaches a simple version of the song: the melody in your right hand and easy chords in your left, one phrase at a time. The song has 4 phrases.
- F major
- 4/4
- 92 BPM
- Easy
- Melody + easy chords
Free to play. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack.
What you need to know
Read from the song's own melody and chords. The left hand is kept simple on purpose.
Time signature
4/4
4 beats in every bar, at 92 BPM
The chords you play
The song uses 15 chords. You learn them a phrase at a time: F, D, Gm, G#dim, Am, G, C, Fm, A, Dm, Ebdim, Bb, Bdim, Bbm and Gb.
Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays F where the sheet music writes F7.
Your left hand for this song
Arpeggio
We'll use this simple left-hand pattern to accompany the melody: low, middle, high, middle, two notes a beat. A slow song in 4/4 has room for two notes a beat.
Right hand
The melody
The tune the singer sings, one note at a time, with finger numbers.
The lesson, step by step
3 short steps for each phrase of the song. Each one opens in the lesson player, so you can listen and play along on your own piano.
- Start hereRight hand
Step 1: Melody
Listen, then play the tune with your right hand, with finger numbers.
Open this step - Left hand
Step 2: Chords
Your left hand learns this phrase's chords: a bass note, block chords, or a simple pattern.
Open this step - Both hands
Step 3: Hands together
The melody with your left hand's chords under it. When you can play this, you can play the phrase.
Open this step Then play the whole song
When you can play every phrase, play the full sheet music in the player.
Play the full song
Frequently asked questions
What key is “Paper Doll” in?
“Paper Doll” is in F major, which has 1 flat: Bb. The F major scale is F, G, A, Bb, C, D and E.
What are the chords in “Paper Doll”?
The lesson plays 15 chords, one easy shape each: F, D, Gm, G#dim, Am, G, C, Fm, A, Dm, Ebdim, Bb, Bdim, Bbm and Gb. As the sheet music writes them: F, F7, D7, Gm7, G#dim, Am, G7, C7, C, Fm, A7, Dm7, Ebdim, Bb, Bdim, Bbm6 and 1 more. Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays F where the sheet music writes F7.
What should my left hand play in “Paper Doll”?
First your left hand learns each phrase's chords on its own, then with the melody. It plays a bass note or a block chord when the chord changes, or a simple pattern: you choose, and the same choice stays on both steps.
What tempo is “Paper Doll”?
“Paper Doll” plays at 92 BPM in 4/4. Every step starts at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.
Is “Paper Doll” hard to play on piano?
It is rated Easy. The melody goes from C4 up to E5. The lesson teaches a simple version: the melody and one easy chord shape at a time in the left hand.
Where can I get the sheet music for “Paper Doll”?
Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack. It is this lesson on paper, with fingering, one left-hand style per PDF.