Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Tennessee Waltz on piano
By Patti Page
- C major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- 1948
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Tennessee Waltz in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C – C – F
How it goes
Tennessee Waltz sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CICICIFIV- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz bells
How it goes
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 135 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: C – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about Tennessee Waltz
What chords are in Tennessee Waltz?
The loop is C – C – C – F (I – IV – I – IV) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is Tennessee Waltz in?
C major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Tennessee Waltz?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Tennessee Waltz 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Tennessee Waltz?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune 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.