Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play While We're Young on piano
By Alec Wilder
- Eb major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- V7–I–ii–V7 loop
- 1943
- Easy
Learn While We're Young in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb7 – Eb – Fm – Bb7
While We're Young sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7EbIFmiiBb7V7- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · 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: Waltz bells
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about While We're Young
What chords are in While We're Young?
The loop is Bb7 – Eb – Fm – Bb7 (V7 – I – ii – V7) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is While We're Young in?
Eb major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in While We're Young?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is While We're Young 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.