Island Girl Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Island Girl in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: F – Bb – F – Bb
Island Girl sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FVBbIFVBbI
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
80 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Knock-knock chords
Chord, a quick knock-knock, a pause, then one last chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Knock-knock chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 136 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: Bb – F – Bb
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbFBb

What chords are in Island Girl?

The loop is F – Bb – F – Bb (V – I – V – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – F – Bb.

What key is Island Girl in?

Bb major, at about 136 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Island Girl?

Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Island Girl 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.