Hello! Below you'll find my "A Whiter Shade of Pale" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Procol Harum is a timeless classic with a beautifully written chord progression. It also has an iconic organ part, and I teach that in the video!
Enjoy!
A Whiter Shade of Pale Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for A Whiter Shade of Pale:
A Whiter Shade of Pale Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| C Em/B | Am C/G | F Am/E | Dm F/C |
| G G/F | Em G/D | C F | G - F/A G/B |
| C Em/B | Am C/G | F Am/E | Dm F/C |
| G G/F | Em G/D | C F | G - F/A G/B |
[Verse 1]
C Em/B Am C/G
We skipped the light fandango
F Am/E Dm F/C
turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
G G/F Em G/D
I was feeling kinda seasick
C Em/B Am C/G
but the crowd called out for more
F Am/E Dm F/C
The room was humming harder
G G/F Em G/D
as the ceiling flew away
C Em/B Am C/G
When we called out for another drink
F Am/E Dm G7
the waiter brought a tray and so it...
[Chorus]
C Em/B Am C/G
was, that later
F Am/E Dm F/C
as the miller told his tale
G G/F Em G/D
that her face, at first just ghostly,
C F C G7
turned a whiter shade of pale
[Interlude]
| C Em/B | Am C/G | F Am/E | Dm F/C |
| G G/F | Em G/D | C F | G - F/A G/B |
[Verse 2]
C Em/B Am C/G
She said there is no reason
F Am/E Dm F/C
And the truth is plain to see
G G/F Em G/D
But I wandered through my playing cards
C Em/B Am C/G
Would not let her be
F Am/E Dm F/C
One of sixteen vestal virgins
G G/F Em G/D
Who were leaving for the coast
C Em/B Am C/G
And although my eyes were open
F Am/E Dm G7
They might just as well been closed, and so it...
And the truth is plain to see
G G/F Em G/D
But I wandered through my playing cards
C Em/B Am C/G
Would not let her be
F Am/E Dm F/C
One of sixteen vestal virgins
G G/F Em G/D
Who were leaving for the coast
C Em/B Am C/G
And although my eyes were open
F Am/E Dm G7
They might just as well been closed, and so it...
[Chorus]
C Em/B Am C/G
was, that later
F Am/E Dm F/C
as the miller told his tale
G G/F Em G/D
that her face, at first just ghostly,
C F C G7
turned a whiter shade of pale
[Interlude]
| C Em/B | Am C/G | F Am/E | Dm F/C |
| G G/F | Em G/D | C F | G - F/A G/B |
and so it...
[Chorus] (fading out)
C Em/B Am C/G
was, that later
F Am/E Dm F/C
as the miller told his tale
G G/F Em G/D
that her face, at first just ghostly,
C F C G7
turned a whiter shade of pale
C
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
A Whiter Shade of Pale Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "A Whiter Shade of Pale" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
