Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Hot House on piano
By Tadd Dameron
- C major
- 4/4
- 160 BPM
- 1954
- Easy
Learn Hot House in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – Fm – F – Dm
Hot House sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C; F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7I7FmivFIVDmii- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Island zigzag
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 302 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 160 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Hot House
What chords are in Hot House?
The loop is C7 – Fm – F – Dm (I7 – iv – IV – ii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Hot House in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hot House?
Island zigzag: broken chord 8-12-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hot House 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.