Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Cool (from West Side Story) on piano
- C major
- 2/2
- 144 BPM
- 1957
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Cool (from West Side Story) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C – C – C7 – A7 – C7 – C7
How it goes
Cool (from West Side Story) sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; A7 is A, C#, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CICICIC7I7A7VI7C7I7C7I7- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- A7A · C# · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), 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 144 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Cool (from West Side Story)
What chords are in Cool (from West Side Story)?
The loop is C – C – C – C7 – A7 – C7 – C7 (I – I7 – VI7 – I7 – I – I7 – VI7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Cool (from West Side Story) in?
C major, at about 144 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Cool (from West Side Story)?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Cool (from West Side Story) easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Cool (from West Side Story)?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.