Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually) Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually) in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – C – F – C
How it goes
Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually) sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GVCIFIVCI
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
65 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: River roll
How it goes
Flows up five notes with a little step near the top, like a river. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-8-9-10 (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 242 songs of the library.
River rollOpen arpeggio · BalladLeft handMedium
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 60 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 – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC

What chords are in Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually)?

The loop is G – C – F – C (V – I – IV – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually) in?

C major, at about 60 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually)?

River roll: open arpeggio 1-5-8-9-10, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually) easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.