Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Hi’ilawe on piano
Written by Sam Li’a Kalainaina Sr.
- A major
- 4/4
- 88 BPM
- I–V7–I–V7 loop
- 2017
- Easy
Learn Hi’ilawe in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – E7 – A – E7
Hi’ilawe sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E7 is E, G#, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIE7V7AIE7V7- AA · C# · E
- E7E · G# · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 88 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: A – E7 – A
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AE7A
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Questions about Hi’ilawe
What chords are in Hi’ilawe?
The loop is A – E7 – A – E7 (I – V7 – I – V7) in A major, and the song ends on A – E7 – A.
What key is Hi’ilawe in?
A major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hi’ilawe?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hi’ilawe 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.