Samba Pa Ti Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Samba Pa Ti in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – Am – G – Am
How it goes
Samba Pa Ti sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIAmiiGIAmii
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
164 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock hop
How it goes
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
Rock hopRoot bass rhythm · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pop stabs
How it goes
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pop stabsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 88 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: G – Am – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAmG

What chords are in Samba Pa Ti?

The loop is G – Am – G – Am (I – ii – I – ii) in G major, and the song ends on G – Am – G.

What key is Samba Pa Ti in?

G major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Samba Pa Ti?

Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Samba Pa Ti 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.