The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)

What skill level is The Imperial March on piano?

Hoffman Academy’s arrangement of The Imperial March is for beginner pianists or for students with very little piano experience. We explain the rhythm, finger numbers, hand position, and the chords needed to play Darth Vader’s Theme. Our goal with this tutorial is for students to have fun and easily learn the march!

What key is the Imperial March in?

While the original key of The Imperial March is in G minor, our arrangement is played in the key of C. We specifically use the C major and G major pentascale. C major is one of the easiest keys for learning and playing songs because this key uses only white keys. Many of our beginner arrangements use C major to help students learn songs more easily. To learn more about different pentascales, check out our free guide to all major and minor pentascales. 

What are the piano chords for The Imperial March?

This arrangement of The Imperial March uses two chords in the left hand. The first chord is an E chord played with E and B using fingers one and five. The second chord is a C chord with notes C and G using fingers one and five. Just remember that whenever your right hand plays a C, your left hand is also playing the C chord too! Not sure about the names of the white keys? Check out our free Piano Keys Chart to help you find the right notes on the piano. 

Tips for playing The Imperial March on piano

The Imperial March is recognizable because of its distinct rhythm. When first learning how to play The Imperial March, be sure to have a strong understanding of the rhythm before playing any notes on the piano. To develop this, tap the rhythm while saying rhythm words while Mr. Hoffman is tapping on the heartbeat mat. Saying the finger numbers for each note while moving your fingers can also help you understand how to play the notes. Follow along with Mr. Hoffman starting at 2:10 in the video to practice naming your finger numbers!

Practice the rhythm and the finger numbers multiple times before playing the piano. Then, once you start playing the piano, the song will feel much easier since you’ve spent time focusing on rhythm and finger numbers individually. 

Is The Imperial March based on a funeral march?

Yes! The Imperial March is partially inspired by Frederic Chopin’s “Marche Funèbre.” Chopin’s march carries a heavy feeling of death and doom. In this piece, Chopin uses dotted eighth sixteenths, and it’s clear that John Williams took inspiration from the rhythm to create a sense of suspense and momentum. Another inspiration for The Imperial March is the “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. 

Who wrote The Imperial March?

The Imperial March was written by John Williams in 1980 and is often referred to as “Darth Vader’s Theme.” The piece is often played in scenes with Darth Vader and is used to indicate a stark shift in mood and atmosphere.

Transcript

Hello and welcome back. I'm Joseph Hoffman.
Today we're learning the "Imperial March” from Star Wars.
Some people call it the Darth Vader theme.  Let's take a listen.

To help you learn the rhythm of “Imperial March" I've invited a special guest.
I'll go invite him in now.

I am Darth Vader. But you may call me Lord Vader.
Mr. Hoffman has requested that I train you in the ways of the rhythm.
So join me at the heartbeat mat.
This is the rhythm for "Imperial March."
Observe the dotted eighth sixteenth note rhythm.
It will make a sound like this: TIM-KI TIM-KI.
Now observe the sound of this rhythm.
TA TA TA TIM-KI TA TIM-KI TWO.
Now you will attempt to say the rhythm with me. Ready begin.
TA TA TA TIM-KI TA TIM-KI TWO.
Impressive. Most impressive.
Once you have mastered this song, you must remember to practice it every day.
Do not fail me.  Mr. Hoffman will now complete your training.

Thanks Lord Vader.
Okay let's practice moving our fingers how we'll need to for this song.
Please hold up your right hand with me.
Now I'm going to use finger numbers so let’s review quickly.
We have finger one, two, three, four and five.
For starters we'll go with three finger threes like this:
Three three three. Now your turn.
Good. Now my turn.
After that we go one, five, three. Your turn.
Good now that one is actually the rhythm that Lord Vader showed us,
where it goes TIM-KI TA.
So it kind of goes quickly with this finger five.
One five three. One five three.

So let's practice that a few times.  Ready, go:
One, five, three.
Again: One, five, three.
One more time: One, five, three.
Now let's put it together like this:
Three, three, three, one, five, three, one, five, ...