Kohei Tanaka · 2007
Origins
Written by anime composer Kohei Tanaka with lyrics by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda. Sung by the musician skeleton Brook and crews across the Grand Line, Binks' Sake (Binkusu no Sake) is a treasured sea shanty that carries the joy of seafaring camaraderie and the poignant farewell to fallen companions.
Context
Arranged in a rolling 12/8 compound swing (played over a 6/4 grid) in E flat major. The song revolves around a friendly, nostalgic four-chord major loop (Eb, Bb, Cm, Ab) with an infectious pentatonic melody that feels like an ancient folk ballad sung by the hearth.
Piano Guide & Structure
Chords in this arrangement:
Practice tip: Feel the rolling triplet bounce in every beat. Sing the joyful 'Yo-hohoho, yo-ho-ho-ho' in your mind to keep the rhythm buoyant, relaxed, and smiling.
Interactive challenge to practice before playing:
🎯 Hands Independence Rhythm Trainer →Free, in your browser: follow the falling notes, slow it down, and add it to your learnings.
Play this song in the app
Melody in the right hand, bass in the left. Watch the notes fall in Live Piano and play along at your own speed.
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