Bowie, David - Space Oddity

Chords & Piano Lesson
David Bowie - Space Oddity
Hello! Below you'll find my "Space Oddity" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
 

This song by David Bowie is a total classic. It's a great one to learn on piano because the chord progression and rhythms are mostly quite straightforward.

Enjoy!

Lesson Video
Chord Chart

Space Oddity Piano Tutorial

Here's a piano tutorial video for Space Oddity:

Space Oddity Chords & Lyrics

[Intro]
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em

[Pre-Verse]
C                                        Em
   Ground control to Major Tom
C                                       Em
   Ground control to Major Tom
Am               Am/G               D/F#
   Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
C                                        Em
   Ground control to Major Tom
C                                                      Em
   Commencing countdown engines on
Am              Am/G              D/F#
   Check ignition and may God's love be with you

[Verse 1]
C                                               E
This is ground control to Major Tom
                                     F
You've really made the grade
             Fm                     C                                F
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
             Fm                      C                     F
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare
C                                                  E
This is Major Tom to ground control
                                         F
I'm stepping through the door
             Fm              C                    F
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
              Fm                   C               F
And the stars look very different today

[Chorus]
       Fmaj7      Em
For here am I sitting in a tin can
Fmaj7             Em
Far above the world
Bb                    Am                    G                    F
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do
 
[Instrumental]
C F G AA
C F G AA
Fmaj7 Em A C D E

[Verse 2]
C                                                              E
Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles
                          F
I'm feeling very still
          Fm                          C                              F
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
            Fm                  C                      F
Tell my wife I love her very much she knows
 
[Bridge]
G                          E7                       Am               
Ground control to Major Tom, your circuit's dead
             C/G
There's something wrong
               D/F#
Can you hear me Major Tom?
               C
Can you hear me Major Tom?
               G
Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you...
 
[Chorus]
Fmaj7       Em
Here am I floating 'round my tin can
Fmaj7             Em
Far above the Moon
Bb                    Am                    G                    F
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do
 
[Instrumental]
C F G AA
C F G AA
Fmaj7 Em A C D E
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.
Space Oddity 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 "Space Oddity" 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: "Space Oddity" 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.
Loading...

Unlock your inner piano genius!

If you're looking to sound a little less like an amateur, and a little more like your favorite pop and rock artists, you're in the right place!

This self-paced, step-by-step online course teaches you the same accompaniment techniques the pros use to turn any chord progression into a head-turning song! Break through to a new level of freedom and creativity, and master the music you actually want to play.
© 2024 Piano with Nate. All Rights Reserved.