Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Cinema Paradiso on piano
By William Joseph
- C minor
- 4/4
- 56 BPM
- I–I7–IV–iv loop
- 1988
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Cinema Paradiso in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C7 – F – Fm
How it goes
Cinema Paradiso sits in C minor: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIC7I7FIVFmiv- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- FmF · Ab · C
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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 56 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: C – F – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CFC
Play next
Questions about Cinema Paradiso
What chords are in Cinema Paradiso?
The loop is C – C7 – F – Fm (I – I7 – IV – iv) in C minor, and the song ends on C – F – C.
What key is Cinema Paradiso in?
C minor, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Cinema Paradiso?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Cinema Paradiso 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.