Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147 on piano
Written by Phillip Keveren
- G major
- 3/4
- 60 BPM
- 2017
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147 in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gmaj7 – Am7 – Gmaj7 – Am7 – G – Am – C#m7 – Dsus4
How it goes
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147 sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Gmaj7 is G, B, D and F#; Am7 is A, C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; C#m7 is C#, E, G# and B; Dsus4 is D, G and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Gmaj7Imaj7Am7ii7Gmaj7Imaj7Am7ii7GIAmiiC#m7#iv7Dsus4Vsus4- Gmaj7G · B · D · F#
- Am7A · C · E · G
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- C#m7C# · E · G# · B
- Dsus4D · G · A
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
How it goes
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 60 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 – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147
What chords are in Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147?
The loop is Gmaj7 – Am7 – Gmaj7 – Am7 – G – Am – C#m7 – Dsus4 (Imaj7 – ii7 – Imaj7 – ii7 – I – ii – #iv7 – Vsus4) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147 in?
G major, at about 60 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147 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 Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.