New York, New York Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn New York, New York in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – C – F – Dm7 – Gm7 – C – C7
New York, New York sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; Dm7 is D, F, A and C; Gm7 is G, Bb, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FICVFIDm7vi7Gm7ii7CVC7V7
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- Gm7G · Bb · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
17 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 songs of the library.
Island seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Eager chords
Jumps in early before beat 3, like the chords can’t wait. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Eager chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 92 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: Gm – Bb – F
The last chords are ii – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmBbF
- GmG · Bb · D
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in New York, New York?

The loop is F – C – F – Dm7 – Gm7 – C – C7 (I – V – I – vi7 – ii7 – V – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Gm – Bb – F.

What key is New York, New York in?

F major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in New York, New York?

Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is New York, New York easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of New York, New York?

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