Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Tapestry on piano
By Don McLean
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–vi–ii–IV loop
- 1970
- Medium
Learn Tapestry in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Em – Am – C
Tapestry sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviAmiiCIV- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Moon River roll
A wide, flowing roll in three, the Moon River feel. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10 (3/4) (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 441 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 – C – G
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GCG
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Questions about Tapestry
What chords are in Tapestry?
The loop is G – Em – Am – C (I – vi – ii – IV) in G major, and the song ends on G – C – G.
What key is Tapestry in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Tapestry?
Moon River roll: open arpeggio 1-5-10 (3/4), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Tapestry easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.