Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play The Rainbow Connection on piano
By Paul Williams
- A major
- 3/4
- 120 BPM
- I–V–vi–I loop
- 1979
- Easy
Learn The Rainbow Connection in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – E – F#m – A
The Rainbow Connection sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIEVF#mviAI- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
- 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: Swaying waltz chords
Two waltz chords, then a late top note after beat 3 that leans forward. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA- DD · F# · A
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Questions about The Rainbow Connection
What chords are in The Rainbow Connection?
The loop is A – E – F#m – A (I – V – vi – I) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.
What key is The Rainbow Connection in?
A major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in The Rainbow Connection?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Rainbow Connection 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 The Rainbow Connection?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the bass riff 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.