Galway Girl Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Galway Girl in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: G – D – G – D
How it goes
Galway Girl sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVDIGIVDI
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
384 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
How it goes
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Knock-knock chords
How it goes
Chord, a quick knock-knock, a pause, then one last chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Knock-knock chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: A – G – D
How it goes
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AGD
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Galway Girl?

The loop is G – D – G – D (IV – I – IV – I) in D major, and the song ends on A – G – D.

What key is Galway Girl in?

D major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Galway Girl?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Galway Girl easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.