How to Play "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple on Piano
“Smoke On The Water” is in Bb major, 4/4 time, at 116 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.
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 116 BPM
- Beginner
- 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 116 BPM
The chords you play
- G5vi
- F5V
- C5ii
- Ab5bVII
The song uses 4 chords. You learn them a phrase at a time: G5, F5, C5 and Ab5.
Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays C5 where the sheet music writes C5/G.
As the sheet music writes them
- G5 vi
- F5 V
- C5/G ii
- Ab5 bVII
Your left hand for this song
Slow arpeggio
We'll use this simple left-hand pattern to accompany the melody: low, middle, high, middle, one note a beat. One note a beat keeps it calm at this tempo.
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 “Smoke On The Water” in?
“Smoke On The Water” is in Bb major, which has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. The Bb major scale is Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G and A.
What are the chords in “Smoke On The Water”?
The lesson plays 4 chords, one easy shape each: G5, F5, C5 and Ab5. As the sheet music writes them: G5, F5, C5/G and Ab5. Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays C5 where the sheet music writes C5/G.
What should my left hand play in “Smoke On The Water”?
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 “Smoke On The Water”?
“Smoke On The Water” plays at 116 BPM in 4/4. Every step starts at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.
Is “Smoke On The Water” hard to play on piano?
It is rated Beginner. The melody goes from F3 up to G5. 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 “Smoke On The Water”?
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.