Mexicali Rose Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Mexicali Rose in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – G7 – C – G7
How it goes
Mexicali Rose sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIG7V7CIG7V7
- CC · E · G
- G7G · B · D · F
222 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
How it goes
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
Waltz rippleBroken chord · 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 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: D7 – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
D7G7C
- D7D · F# · A · C

What chords are in Mexicali Rose?

The loop is C – G7 – C – G7 (I – V7 – I – V7) in C major, and the song ends on D7 – G7 – C.

What key is Mexicali Rose in?

C major, at about 90 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Mexicali Rose?

Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Mexicali Rose 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.