It's A Small World Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn It's A Small World in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Am – G – Em7 – Dm – G – Dm7 – Em
It's A Small World sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D; Em7 is E, G, B and D; Dm is D, F and A; Dm7 is D, F, A and C; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviGVEm7iii7DmiiGVDm7ii7Emiii
- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- Em7E · G · B · D
- DmD · F · A
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- EmE · G · B
37 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Soft chords
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Soft chordsBlock chords · BalladRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 130 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
- FF · A · C

What chords are in It's A Small World?

The loop is C – Am – G – Em7 – Dm – G – Dm7 – Em (I – vi – V – iii7 – ii – V – ii7 – iii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is It's A Small World in?

C major, at about 130 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in It's A Small World?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is It's A Small World easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of It's A Small World?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.