Piano chords · Waltz garden

How to play La Valse D'amelie on piano

By Yann Tiersen

Tuning the piano…

Learn it

Learn La Valse D'amelie in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Dm – Am – Dm – Am
How it goes
La Valse D'amelie sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiAmviDmiiAmvi
- DmD · F · A
- AmA · C · E
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.
Oom-pah-pahWaltz · WaltzLeft handEasy
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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G

What chords are in La Valse D'amelie?

The loop is Dm – Am – Dm – Am (ii – vi – ii – vi) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is La Valse D'amelie in?

C major, at about 56 beats a minute in 2/4.

What does the left hand play in La Valse D'amelie?

Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is La Valse D'amelie 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.

Can I hear the real melody of La Valse D'amelie?

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

Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.