How to play Catch A Wave on piano

Learn Catch A Wave in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – A7 – D – G
How it goes
Catch A Wave sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; A7 is A, C#, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIA7V7DIGIV
- DD · F# · A
- A7A · C# · E · G
- GG · B · D
69 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Pop seesaw
How it goes
Two low notes, long then short, then a step up on beat 3. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
Pop seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 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: D – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D

What chords are in Catch A Wave?

The loop is D – A7 – D – G (I – V7 – I – IV) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.

What key is Catch A Wave in?

D major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Catch A Wave?

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

Is Catch A Wave 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.