(Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn (Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G7 – C – Dm – G7
How it goes
(Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7CIDmiiG7V7
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
49 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island seesaw
How it goes
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 songs of the library.
Island seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords
How it goes
Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wait-a-beat chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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: Dm – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C

What chords are in (Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan?

The loop is G7 – C – Dm – G7 (V7 – I – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.

What key is (Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in (Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan?

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

Is (Castles In Spain) On A Roof In Manhattan 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.