Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play The Swan on piano
By Camille Saint-Saens
- G major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- I–ii–V7–I loop
- Easy
Learn The Swan in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Am – D7 – G
The Swan sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIAmiiD7V7GI- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
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.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 135 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: G – D7 – G
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GD7G
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Questions about The Swan
What chords are in The Swan?
The loop is G – Am – D7 – G (I – ii – V7 – I) in G major, and the song ends on G – D7 – G.
What key is The Swan in?
G major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in The Swan?
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 Swan 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 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.