Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Small World on piano
Written by Jule Styne
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- I–vi–ii–V7 loop
- 1959
- Easy
Learn Small World in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Cm – Fm – Bb7
Small World sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Cm is C, Eb and G; Fm is F, Ab and C; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbICmviFmiiBb7V7- EbEb · G · Bb
- CmC · Eb · G
- FmF · Ab · C
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (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 72 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: Eb – Ab – Eb
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbAbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
Play next
Questions about Small World
What chords are in Small World?
The loop is Eb – Cm – Fm – Bb7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Ab – Eb.
What key is Small World in?
Eb major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Small World?
Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Small World 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.