Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Gymnopedie No. 1 on piano
By Erik Satie
- B minor
- 3/4
- 78 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Gymnopedie No. 1 in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – D – G – D
How it goes
Gymnopedie No. 1 sits in B minor: B is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GVIDIIIGVIDIII- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
How it goes
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 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 78 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 – Bm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GABm- AA · C# · E
- BmB · D · F#
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Questions about Gymnopedie No. 1
What chords are in Gymnopedie No. 1?
The loop is G – D – G – D (VI – III – VI – III) in B minor, and the song ends on G – A – Bm.
What key is Gymnopedie No. 1 in?
B minor, at about 78 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Gymnopedie No. 1?
Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Gymnopedie No. 1 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Gymnopedie No. 1?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.