Fernando Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Fernando in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: E7 – E7 – E7 – A
Fernando sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E7 is E, G#, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
E7V7E7V7E7V7AI
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AA · C# · E
414 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Breaking wave
Four notes roll up quickly to a bright high top, then let it ring. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-8-10 (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 162 songs of the library.
Breaking waveOpen arpeggio · BalladLeft handMedium
3
Right hand: Twinkle
Two notes twinkling back and forth. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
TwinkleTwo-note ostinato · BalladRight handMedium
4
Both hands at 108 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: B7 – E7 – A
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
B7E7A
- B7B · D# · F# · A

What chords are in Fernando?

The loop is E7 – E7 – E7 – A (V7 – I – V7 – I) in A major, and the song ends on B7 – E7 – A.

What key is Fernando in?

A major, at about 108 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Fernando?

Breaking wave: open arpeggio 1-5-8-10, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Fernando 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.

Can I hear the real melody of Fernando?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.