Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Half a Sixpence on piano
Artist unknown
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- I–ii–I–ii loop
- 1967
- Easy
Learn Half a Sixpence in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Cm – Bb – Cm
Half a Sixpence sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbICmiiBbICmii- BbBb · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 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 90 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: Cm – F – Bb
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CmFBb- FF · A · C
Play next
Questions about Half a Sixpence
What chords are in Half a Sixpence?
The loop is Bb – Cm – Bb – Cm (I – ii – I – ii) in Bb major, and the song ends on Cm – F – Bb.
What key is Half a Sixpence in?
Bb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Half a Sixpence?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Half a Sixpence 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.