Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Sherry on piano
Written by Bob Gaudio
- C major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 1962
- Easy
Learn Sherry in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Am – Dm7 – G7 – C – Am – Dm – G7
Sherry sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; Dm7 is D, F, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviDm7ii7G7V7CIAmviDmiiG7V7- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C
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Questions about Sherry
What chords are in Sherry?
The loop is C – Am – Dm7 – G7 – C – Am – Dm – G7 (I – vi – ii7 – V7 – I – vi – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is Sherry in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Sherry?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sherry easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Sherry?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the bass riff of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.