Elvira Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Elvira in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – G7 – C – C7
Elvira 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; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIG7V7CIC7I7
- CC · E · G
- G7G · B · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
37 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bluesy shrug
A long root, then down and back up to a bluesy note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-7 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 73 songs of the library.
Bluesy shrugBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 150 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

What chords are in Elvira?

The loop is C – G7 – C – C7 (I – V7 – I – I7) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.

What key is Elvira in?

C major, at about 150 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Elvira?

Bluesy shrug: broken chord 8-5-7, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Elvira 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.