Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Aldonza on piano
By Joe Darion
- Bb minor
- 6/8
- 120 BPM
- i–iv–i–V7 loop
- 1965
- Easy
Learn Aldonza in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bbm – Ebm – Bbm – F7
Aldonza sits in Bb minor: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbmiEbmivBbmiF7V7- BbmBb · Db · F
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Waltz roots
One low note on each of the three beats: a simple waltz floor. Musicians call it root bass · 3/4 quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 391 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 120 BPM
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: Gb – Ab – Bbm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GbAbBbm- GbGb · Bb · Db
- AbAb · C · Eb
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Questions about Aldonza
What chords are in Aldonza?
The loop is Bbm – Ebm – Bbm – F7 (i – iv – i – V7) in Bb minor, and the song ends on Gb – Ab – Bbm.
What key is Aldonza in?
Bb minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Aldonza?
Waltz roots: root bass · 3/4 quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Aldonza 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.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.