Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Mele Kalikimaka on piano
Written by R. Alex Anderson
- C major
- 2/2
- 65 BPM
- VI7–II7–V7–I loop
- 1949
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Mele Kalikimaka in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D7 – G7 – C
How it goes
Mele Kalikimaka sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7VI7D7II7G7V7CI- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 65 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- DmD · F · A
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Questions about Mele Kalikimaka
What chords are in Mele Kalikimaka?
The loop is A7 – D7 – G7 – C (VI7 – II7 – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is Mele Kalikimaka in?
C major, at about 65 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Mele Kalikimaka?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mele Kalikimaka 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.