Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Now Is The Hour on piano
By Vera Lynn
- F major
- 3/4
- 90 BPM
- ii–V7–I–IV loop
- 1913
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Now Is The Hour in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – C7 – F – Bb
How it goes
Now Is The Hour sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiiC7V7FIBbIV- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- 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.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz bells
How it goes
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: F – C7 – F
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FC7F
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Questions about Now Is The Hour
What chords are in Now Is The Hour?
The loop is Gm – C7 – F – Bb (ii – V7 – I – IV) in F major, and the song ends on F – C7 – F.
What key is Now Is The Hour in?
F major, at about 90 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Now Is The Hour?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Now Is The Hour 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.