Carolina In My Mind Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Carolina In My Mind in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C7 – F – Gm – C7
Carolina In My Mind sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7FIGmiiC7V7
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- GmG · Bb · D
49 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
Lazy seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Springy chords
A quick double skip at the start, then steady chords to the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Springy chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Carolina In My Mind?

The loop is C7 – F – Gm – C7 (V7 – I – ii – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is Carolina In My Mind in?

F major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Carolina In My Mind?

Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Carolina In My Mind 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.