Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Jamaica Say You Will on piano
Written by Jackson Brown
- E major
- 4/4
- 56 BPM
- IV–I–ii–IV loop
- 1970
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Jamaica Say You Will in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – E – F#m – A
How it goes
Jamaica Say You Will sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIVEIF#miiAIV- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
- 2
Left hand: Doorbell ding-dong
How it goes
Two high, two low, in a lazy push rhythm: ding-ding, dong-dong. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 472 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 56 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: C#m – A – E
How it goes
The last chords are vi – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
C#mAE- C#mC# · E · G#
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Questions about Jamaica Say You Will
What chords are in Jamaica Say You Will?
The loop is A – E – F#m – A (IV – I – ii – IV) in E major, and the song ends on C#m – A – E.
What key is Jamaica Say You Will in?
E major, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Jamaica Say You Will?
Doorbell ding-dong: broken chord 8-8-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Jamaica Say You Will 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.