Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play The Sharpest Thorn on piano
By Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
- F major
- 3/4
- 76 BPM
- V–I–V–I loop
- 2006
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Sharpest Thorn in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – F – C – F
How it goes
The Sharpest Thorn sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CVFICVFI- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- 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.
- 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 76 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: F – C7 – F
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FC7F- C7C · E · G · Bb
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Questions about The Sharpest Thorn
What chords are in The Sharpest Thorn?
The loop is C – F – C – F (V – I – V – I) in F major, and the song ends on F – C7 – F.
What key is The Sharpest Thorn in?
F major, at about 76 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in The Sharpest Thorn?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Sharpest Thorn 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.