Piano chords · Film & wonder
How to play Mapuana on piano
By Lani Sang
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–ii–V7–I loop
- 1953
- Medium
Learn Mapuana in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – G7 – C
Mapuana sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; 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.
CIDmiiG7V7CI- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Rising tide
Five notes roll up wide and high, then hold: a tide coming in. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-8-10-12 (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 187 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 100 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 – G – C
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
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Questions about Mapuana
What chords are in Mapuana?
The loop is C – Dm – G7 – C (I – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Mapuana in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Mapuana?
Rising tide: open arpeggio 1-5-8-10-12, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mapuana easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.