Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Java Jive on piano
By The Ink Spots
- F major
- 2/2
- 105 BPM
- Easy
Learn Java Jive in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – G#dim – C7 – Gm
Java Jive sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; G#dim is G#, B and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIG#dimbiii°C7V7Gmii- FF · A · C
- G#dimG# · B · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 105 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 – C7 – F
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FC7F
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Questions about Java Jive
What chords are in Java Jive?
The loop is F – G#dim – C7 – Gm (I – biiio – V7 – ii) in F major, and the song ends on F – C7 – F.
What key is Java Jive in?
F major, at about 105 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Java Jive?
Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Java Jive 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.