Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Carolina Moon on piano
Artist unknown
- G major
- 3/4
- 100 BPM
- ii–V7–I–IV loop
- 1928
- Easy
Learn Carolina Moon in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D7 – G – C
Carolina Moon sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiiD7V7GICIV- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz bells
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Carolina Moon
What chords are in Carolina Moon?
The loop is Am – D7 – G – C (ii – V7 – I – IV) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Carolina Moon in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Carolina Moon?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Carolina Moon 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.