Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Hawaiian Wedding Song on piano
Written by Al Hoffman & Dick Manning
- C major
- 4/4
- 56 BPM
- I–VI7–II7–V7 loop
- 1958
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Hawaiian Wedding Song in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – A7 – D7 – G7
How it goes
The Hawaiian Wedding Song sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIA7VI7D7II7G7V7- CC · E · G
- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
How it goes
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 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 56 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
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Questions about The Hawaiian Wedding Song
What chords are in The Hawaiian Wedding Song?
The loop is C – A7 – D7 – G7 (I – VI7 – II7 – V7) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is The Hawaiian Wedding Song in?
C major, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Hawaiian Wedding Song?
Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Hawaiian Wedding 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.