Recuerdo New York Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Recuerdo New York in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Gm – F – Gm
Recuerdo New York sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIGmiiFIGmii
- FF · A · C
- GmG · Bb · D
164 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Brass-band march
A bold open chord, then a low note: oom-pah like a marching band. Musicians call it lh power fifths (2/4) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in 234 songs of the library.
Brass-band marchLeft-hand chords · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 56 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Recuerdo New York?

The loop is F – Gm – F – Gm (I – ii – I – ii) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is Recuerdo New York in?

F major, at about 56 beats a minute in 2/4.

What does the left hand play in Recuerdo New York?

Brass-band march: lh power fifths (2/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Recuerdo New York 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.