Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Wavin’ Flag on piano
By K'naan
- C major
- 4/4
- 75 BPM
- I–IV–vi–V loop
- 2009
- Medium
Learn Wavin’ Flag in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – F – Am – G
Wavin’ Flag sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C; Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIFIVAmviGV- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Galloping heartbeat
Ta-DUM, ta-DUM: quick pickups into beats 2 and 4, like hooves. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 3 · 3a · 4 (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 115 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 75 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: Dm – F – C
The last chords are ii – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmFC- DmD · F · A
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Questions about Wavin’ Flag
What chords are in Wavin’ Flag?
The loop is C – F – Am – G (I – IV – vi – V) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – F – C.
What key is Wavin’ Flag in?
C major, at about 75 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Wavin’ Flag?
Galloping heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 3 · 3a · 4, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Wavin’ Flag easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.