Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Second Hand Rose on piano
Written by Harlan Howard
- D major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- V7–I–IV–V7 loop
- 1962
- Easy
Learn Second Hand Rose in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D – G – A7
Second Hand Rose sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7V7DIGIVA7V7- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Fiesta bounce
A long fifth, then high root and low root: a happy fiesta bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 5-8-1 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 119 songs of the library.
- 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 100 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- AA · C# · E
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Questions about Second Hand Rose
What chords are in Second Hand Rose?
The loop is A7 – D – G – A7 (V7 – I – IV – V7) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Second Hand Rose in?
D major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Second Hand Rose?
Fiesta bounce: broken chord 5-8-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Second Hand Rose 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.