Jolly Holiday Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Jolly Holiday in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Dm – G7 – Dm – G7
How it goes
Jolly Holiday sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiG7V7DmiiG7V7
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
136 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Lazy footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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: Dm – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Jolly Holiday?

The loop is Dm – G7 – Dm – G7 (ii – V7 – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.

What key is Jolly Holiday in?

C major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Jolly Holiday?

Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Jolly Holiday 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.