Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Romantica on piano
By Renato Rascel
- C major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- I–vi–IV–ii loop
- 1960
- Easy
Learn Romantica in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Am – F – Dm
Romantica sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviFIVDmii- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- 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.
- 3
Right hand: Bouncy bells
A high bell note, then chords bouncing on every “and”. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
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Questions about Romantica
What chords are in Romantica?
The loop is C – Am – F – Dm (I – vi – IV – ii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Romantica in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Romantica?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Romantica 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.