How to play Ode To Joy on piano

Learn Ode To Joy in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – D – Em – D – Em – F#m7
How it goes
Ode To Joy sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Em7 is E, G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; Em is E, G and B; F#m7 is F#, A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Em7ii7DIEmiiDIEmiiDIEmiiF#m7iii7
- Em7E · G · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
- F#m7F# · A · C# · E
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Wobbling tick-tock
How it goes
The root and the note just below take turns: a cheeky swinging wobble. Musicians call it broken chord 8-7 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 303 songs of the library.
Wobbling tick-tockBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Soft chordsBlock chords · BalladRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 128 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: D – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D
- A7A · C# · E · G

What chords are in Ode To Joy?

The loop is Em7 – D – Em – D – Em – D – Em – F#m7 (ii7 – I – ii – I – ii – I – ii – iii7) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.

What key is Ode To Joy in?

D major, at about 128 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Ode To Joy?

Wobbling tick-tock: broken chord 8-7, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Ode To Joy easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Ode To Joy?

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