Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Vaya Con Dios on piano
Written by Larry Russell, Inez James & others
- C major
- 3/4
- 120 BPM
- V7–ii–V7–I loop
- 1953
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Vaya Con Dios in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – Dm – G7 – C
How it goes
Vaya Con Dios sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; Dm is D, F and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7DmiiG7V7CI- G7G · B · D · F
- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
How it goes
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: Waltz chords
How it goes
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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 – Dm – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDmC
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Questions about Vaya Con Dios
What chords are in Vaya Con Dios?
The loop is G7 – Dm – G7 – C (V7 – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – Dm – C.
What key is Vaya Con Dios in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Vaya Con Dios?
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 Vaya Con Dios 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.