Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Despacito on piano
Written by Luis Fonsi, Erika Ender & others
- D major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- vi–IV–I–V loop
- 2015
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Despacito in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bm – G – D – A
How it goes
Despacito sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BmviGIVDIAV- BmB · D · F#
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Stair steps
How it goes
Three notes climb up the chord in the island rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 438 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pitter-patter
How it goes
A chord, then one note pattering steadily like gentle rain. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
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Questions about Despacito
What chords are in Despacito?
The loop is Bm – G – D – A (vi – IV – I – V) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Despacito in?
D major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Despacito?
Stair steps: broken chord 1-3-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Despacito easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.