A classic ‘Billy’ ending

One Little Trick to Billy Joel's Ending

Before we finish, I want to show you a little trick. This is an ending of Billy Joel's, a classic Billy ending.

Breaking Down the Chords

Now, I'm going to break the chords down. It's a bit all over the place, but it sounds incredible.

• Watch this. I'll be honest, it's quite complicated and a little jazzy. You're really going to have to break it down and watch what my fingers are doing here.
• But learn this. I promise it's epic!

Playing at Speed

I'll play it at speed. This is what it sounds like.

Notes Breakdown

Here are the notes:

• C
• E7 with an F
• A minor 7
• A
• E
• G
• C
• E
• G
• B flat (with the little finger)
• F
• C
• D (again with the thumb)
• F
• B flat (with your fourth finger, little finger on C)

The Tricky Part

Now here's the tricky part: E flat, just majors, nice and simple.

• E flat chord to an A flat:
  • A flat
  • E
  • B flat
  • C
  • E flat
  • A flat
  • C

C over D Chord

This next chord is tricky. It's actually a C over D.

• This means a C in the right hand and a D in the left hand.
• We have D and A in the left hand with a C chord in the right hand.

Again, I'm spreading that chord:

• G with the thumb
• Second finger on C
• Third finger on D

So actually, it says C ninth in the right hand, with the little finger on G.

F Minor 9th

Now, this second chord here is a bit technical, but what we'll use is almost an F minor 9th in the right hand and a C sharp in the left hand.

• F minor 9 is here:
  • F in the little finger
  • D, C, A flat, C sharp in the bass

This time, it's going to be a D over C.

• It's a D with the right hand, C with the left hand, which creates this:

• C with the left hand

• A with your thumb in the right hand

• Second finger on D

• Fourth finger on F sharp

So you get this.

Adding Drama

Now add some real drama to this ending and you get this!