Hello Dolly Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Hello Dolly in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F7 – Cm – F7 – Bb
How it goes
Hello Dolly sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Cm is C, Eb and G; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
F7V7CmiiF7V7BbI
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- CmC · Eb · G
- BbBb · D · F
29 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: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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: Bb – F7 – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbF7Bb

What chords are in Hello Dolly?

The loop is F7 – Cm – F7 – Bb (V7 – ii – V7 – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – F7 – Bb.

What key is Hello Dolly in?

Bb major, at about 140 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Hello Dolly?

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

Is Hello Dolly 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.