Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Danke Schoen on piano
Written by Bert Kaempfert
- C major
- 2/2
- 134 BPM
- I–V7–I–V7 loop
- 1962
- Easy
Learn Danke Schoen in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G7 – C – G7
Danke Schoen sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIG7V7CIG7V7- CC · E · G
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Double-tap drop
The same note twice, long then short, then a drop to a lower note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 134 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 – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C
Play next
Questions about Danke Schoen
What chords are in Danke Schoen?
The loop is C – G7 – C – G7 (I – V7 – I – V7) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is Danke Schoen in?
C major, at about 134 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Danke Schoen?
Double-tap drop: broken chord 8-8-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Danke Schoen 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.