
Candle in the Wind is a timeless classic by Elton John, released in 1973 as part of the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The song is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, reflecting on her life and struggles. Playing this song on the piano requires a mid-level skill set, with familiarity in chord transitions and a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective and emotional feel of the song. The chord progression of the song in the key of E major is: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song, giving it a melancholic feel. The song begins with an E minor chord, followed by a B minor chord, and the verse consists of a series of chord progressions, each lasting four measures. The first progression is E minor-B minor-C major-A minor, followed by E minor-G major-A minor-F major. The chorus consists of the chords E major-B major-C# minor-A major.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Candle in the Wind |
| Artist | Elton John |
| Difficulty Level | Mid-level |
| Key | E Major or F Major |
| Tempo | Not mentioned |
| Time Signature | Verses in 3/4, chorus in 4/4 |
| Intro | Somber and reflective |
| Tutorial Availability | Yes |
| Tutorial Type | Video, text, and images |
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What You'll Learn

Learn the chord progression in the key of E major
Playing "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John on the piano requires a mid-level skill set. The song is in the key of E major, and the chord progression repeats throughout the song, giving it a melancholic and reflective feel. The chord progression is as follows: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m.
To play the song, it is recommended that you first listen to it a couple of times to get a sense of its overall structure and nuances. Familiarise yourself with the chord charts and practice playing those chords, paying attention to your hand positioning. Try playing the melody with your right hand first and get accustomed to it. Then, take a look at the accompaniment in the left hand and get comfortable with that part. Once you’ve learned the song for both hands separately, you can try playing with both hands together.
Additionally, it is important to be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective feel of the song. The ability to convey emotion through your playing is crucial to doing justice to the piece's tribute to Marilyn Monroe and its melancholic essence.
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Practice the right-hand part first
To play "Candle in the Wind" on the piano, it is advisable to practice the right-hand part first before adding the left-hand part. This iconic song, written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe and is known for its emotional depth and melancholic melody. The song is categorized as mid-level difficulty and has a chord progression in the key of E major.
When practicing the right-hand part, it is important to start by familiarizing yourself with the chord transitions and the overall structure of the song. Listen to "Candle in the Wind" a few times to get a sense of its nuances and feel. The chord progression in the key of E major is: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song, contributing to its reflective and emotional character.
As you practice the right-hand part, pay close attention to your hand positioning. Ensure that your hand is comfortably positioned to play the chords and transitions smoothly. It is also beneficial to practice playing the right-hand notes slowly at first, and then gradually increasing the tempo as you become more comfortable. This will help you master the melody and dynamics of the song.
By focusing on the right-hand part first, you will lay a strong foundation for playing "Candle in the Wind" on the piano. Practicing the right-hand notes will help you internalize the melody, chord transitions, and dynamics of the song, making it easier to add the left-hand part later and bring the entire piece together.
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Add the left-hand part
To play "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John on the piano, it is recommended that you first learn the right-hand part before adding the left-hand part. The chord progression of the song in the key of E major is: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song, giving it a melancholic and reflective feel.
Now, let's add the left-hand part. This will be very easy, as it only involves playing one note at a time. The left-hand notes for "Candle in the Wind" are: G# A B B B G# B B B G# A B B B C# E G# A B B B B C# B A G# A G# F# F# C# C# C# D# E D# C# B C# E G# G# G# A B G# F# F# B C# E E F# C# E.
To play the left-hand part effectively, make sure you are comfortable with your hand positioning. The left hand typically plays the lower notes, providing a bassline or harmony to support the melody played by the right hand. In this song, your left hand will be playing the root notes of the chords, adding depth and fullness to the overall sound. Practice playing these notes slowly and steadily, ensuring that your fingers are curved and relaxed as they fall on the keys.
As you become more familiar with the left-hand part, you can start combining it with the right-hand melody. Practice playing both hands together, synchronizing your hands to create a cohesive performance. Remember to maintain proper hand positioning and a relaxed posture as you play, allowing the music to flow naturally.
With the left-hand part added, you will notice how it complements the right-hand melody, enhancing the emotional depth of the song. "Candle in the Wind" is a timeless classic, and by mastering both the right and left-hand parts, you can capture the reflective and melancholic feel that has made this song so iconic. Remember to practice regularly and listen to the original recording to refine your interpretation.
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Listen to the song to get a sense of its structure and nuances
To play "Candle in the Wind" on the piano, it is important to first listen to the song a few times and immerse yourself in its structure and nuances. This step is crucial as it helps you understand the emotional depth and melancholic melody that make this song a timeless classic.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind", written in 1973, is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, reflecting on her life and struggles as a famous actress and sex symbol. Elton John's haunting chord progression in the key of E major, combined with delicate arpeggios and expressive dynamics, creates a poignant and reflective atmosphere. By listening attentively, you can appreciate the blend of major and minor chords, adding depth to the emotional impact of the music.
In 1997, Elton John adapted the song as a touching tribute to Princess Diana following her tragic passing. This version, with revised lyrics, further solidified the song's place in music history. As you listen, pay close attention to the chord transitions and dynamics, which are essential to capturing the reflective and emotional feel of the song.
The ability to convey emotion through your playing is crucial to doing justice to the song's tribute and melancholic essence. Listen for the subtle nuances in Elton John's performance, such as the atmospheric keyboard textures and bass pedals in the 1986 live version recorded in Sydney, Australia. By truly understanding the song's structure and emotions, you will be able to express its beauty and depth when playing it on the piano.
Overall, by taking the time to listen to "Candle in the Wind" and absorbing its structure, emotions, and nuances, you will gain a deeper understanding of the song's iconic status and be better equipped to play it on the piano with expression and feeling.
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Pay attention to hand positioning
To play "Candle in the Wind" on the piano, it is important to pay attention to hand positioning. The song is in the key of E major, and the chord progression is as follows: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song.
When playing the piano, the right hand typically plays the melody, while the left hand provides harmony or accompaniment. In the case of "Candle in the Wind," the right hand will play the higher notes, while the left hand will play the lower notes.
For the right hand, the notes to play are: G# A B B B G# B B B G# A B B B C# E G# A B B B B C# B A G# A G# F# F# C# C# C# D# E D# C# B C# E G# G# G# A B G# F# F# B C# E E F# C# E. It is recommended to watch a video or listen to the song to get a sense of the rhythm and nuances of the melody before attempting to play it.
The left hand will typically play a simpler part, often just one note at a time. For "Candle in the Wind," the left-hand notes are not explicitly mentioned, but they are likely to be the lower notes on the piano, providing a harmonic foundation for the melody played by the right hand.
It is important to ensure that your hands are positioned comfortably on the keyboard, with your fingers curved and not too tense. Your thumbs should be aligned with the middle of your chest, and your arms should be relaxed and close to your body. This will help you maintain proper hand positioning and avoid strain or tension while playing.
Overall, "Candle in the Wind" is considered a mid-level difficulty song, and players should be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective feel of the song.
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Frequently asked questions
Playing "Candle in the Wind" on the piano is categorized as a mid-level difficulty. It requires players to be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective feel of the song.
The song is in the key of E major. The chord progression is E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m, and this progression repeats throughout the song.
The song begins with an E minor chord, followed by a B minor chord. The verses are written in a 3/4 time signature, while the chorus is in 4/4. The verse consists of chord progressions, each lasting four measures. The first progression is E minor-B minor-C major-A minor, followed by E minor-G major-A minor-F major. The chorus consists of the chords E major-B major-C# minor-A major.
Beginners should listen to the song a few times to get a sense of its structure and nuances. It is recommended to watch tutorials or videos to understand the right and left-hand parts before trying to play the song.











































