Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play The Desert Song on piano
Written by Sigmund Romberg
- C major
- 3/4
- 120 BPM
- 1926
- Easy
Learn The Desert Song in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – G7 – Gdim
The Desert Song sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; G7 is G, B, D and F; Gdim is G, Bb and Db. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVG7V7Gdimv°- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- G7G · B · D · F
- GdimG · Bb · Db
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
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: 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: C – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C
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Questions about The Desert Song
What chords are in The Desert Song?
The loop is C – G – G7 – Gdim (I – V – V7 – vo) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is The Desert Song in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in The Desert Song?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Desert Song 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.