Chopsticks

Get the sheet music here.

Is Chopsticks a good song for beginners?

Chopsticks is a good song for beginners because it is well known and fun. It can also be played using only the index fingers of each hand. This makes it simple to learn and easy to play successfully. Chopsticks, with its one-finger melody, appears in cartoons and TV shows so often that it might be one of the most widely-known beginner piano pieces.

Some say that the name Chopsticks comes from the fact the melody can be played with only one finger, as if one is holding a pair of chopsticks. However, the composer named this piece “The Chop Waltz” because it should be played with a chopping motion. 

Is Chopsticks the easiest song to play on a piano?

Chopsticks is one of the easiest songs to learn to play on the piano. Using two index fingers simplifies the motor skills you need to play it. The repetitive rhythmic pattern means this song is accessible. Plus, it’s so catchy that it is easy for a beginner to memorize too. 

If you like Chopsticks, you might find “Mary Had A Little Lamb” similarly easy to learn. You can also try some of our Super Easy piano tutorials. “Baby Shark” is similarly catchy and rhythmic. 

What key is Chopsticks played in?

This tutorial for Chopsticks is in the Key of C major. 

What are the chords for Chopsticks?

Chopsticks is played with two notes and two fingers. Playing the two fingers together forms the chord. This is different from some popular piano music, where the melody is in the right hand and three note chords are in the left. The chords for Chopsticks are written out in the sheet music, which you can download here.

In its duet form, Chopsticks can be accompanied by a V7 chord for the first two measures (BFG) For the second two measures, the partner would play a I chord (CEG). You can learn more about adding chords to a song in our article on how to choose chords. 

Who composed Chopsticks and when?

Euphemia Allen composed Chopsticks in 1877.  She lived in Glasgow, Scotland with the rest of her musical family, including her brother Mozart Allen. Euphemia wrote “The Chop Waltz” at the age of 16. She published two versions, a solo version and a duet version.