The Godfather Waltz Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn The Godfather Waltz in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Cm – Fm – Cm – G7
How it goes
The Godfather Waltz sits in C minor: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Fm is F, Ab and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmiFmivCmiG7V7
- CmC · Eb · G
- FmF · Ab · C
- G7G · B · D · F
12 songs go round the same chords
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.
Oom-pah-pahWaltz · WaltzLeft handEasy
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.
Waltz bellsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 108 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: Ab – Bb – Cm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbCm
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in The Godfather Waltz?

The loop is Cm – Fm – Cm – G7 (i – iv – i – V7) in C minor, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Cm.

What key is The Godfather Waltz in?

C minor, at about 108 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in The Godfather Waltz?

Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is The Godfather 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.