Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Hula Hoop on piano
By Omi
- Db major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- I–V–vi–I loop
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Hula Hoop in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Db – Ab – Bbm – Db
How it goes
Hula Hoop sits in Db major: Db is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Db is Db, F and Ab; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Bbm is Bb, Db and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DbIAbVBbmviDbI- DbDb · F · Ab
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbmBb · Db · F
- 2
Left hand: Drowsy heartbeat
How it goes
Two slow notes, then a late one that slips in before the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 889 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 120 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: Bbm – Gb – Db
How it goes
The last chords are vi – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbmGbDb- GbGb · Bb · Db
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Questions about Hula Hoop
What chords are in Hula Hoop?
The loop is Db – Ab – Bbm – Db (I – V – vi – I) in Db major, and the song ends on Bbm – Gb – Db.
What key is Hula Hoop in?
Db major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hula Hoop?
Drowsy heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hula Hoop 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.