How to play The Galway Shawl on piano

Learn The Galway Shawl in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: G – Em – C – D
How it goes
The Galway Shawl 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; C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviCIVDV
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
95 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
How it goes
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
Waltz rippleBroken chord · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 90 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 – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG

What chords are in The Galway Shawl?

The loop is G – Em – C – D (I – vi – IV – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is The Galway Shawl in?

G major, at about 90 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in The Galway Shawl?

Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Galway Shawl 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.