Jessie Taylor
Elton John's Candle in the Wind is a timeless ballad commemorating the life and struggles of Marilyn Monroe. Written by John and Bernie Taupin in 1973, the song was adapted in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana. The song is in the key of E major and features a melancholic and reflective chord progression. To play Candle in the Wind on the piano, one must be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the song's emotional depth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Songwriters | Elton John and Bernie Taupin |
| Tribute to | Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana |
| Year of original composition | 1973 |
| Album | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road |
| Single release year | 1974 |
| Single's UK chart position | No. 11 |
| Single's US chart position | N/A |
| Rolling Stone's ranking in 2004 | No. 347 |
| Rolling Stone's ranking in 2010 | No. 356 |
| Key | E major |
| Chord progression | E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m |
| Piano skill level required | Mid-level |
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What You'll Learn
Chord progression in the key of E major
"Candle in the Wind", a threnody-style ballad written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is in the key of E major. The E major scale has seven notes, which means there will be seven chords in the key of E. Each chord will root on a note of the scale. The notes of the E major scale are E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#.
The chords of any major key will always follow the major-minor pattern: I = major, ii = minor, iii = minor, IV = major, V = major, vi = minor, vii = diminished. So, for E major, the triad chords are E major, F# minor, G# minor, A major, B major, C# minor, and D# diminished. The four-chord E, B, C#m, and A are used in "Candle in the Wind".
The chord V, B major, contains the notes B, D#, and F#. The B dominant seventh contains the notes B, D#, F#, and A. Chord vi, C# minor, consists of the notes C#, E, and G#. C# minor seventh consists of the notes C#, E, G#, and B. Chord vii°, D# diminished, consists of the notes D#, F#, and A, while D# minor seventh flat five consists of the notes D#, F#, A, and C#.
The first rule of songwriting is: if it sounds good, use it! Don't restrict yourself to what's been taught so far. Allow yourself plenty of room for intuition.
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The song's structure and nuances
"Candle in the Wind" is a threnody-style ballad written by Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. The song features a haunting chord progression in the key of E major, contributing to its melancholic and reflective vibe. The blend of major and minor chords adds depth to the emotional impact of the music.
The chord progression of "Candle in the Wind" is as follows: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song, giving it its characteristic sound. The song is typically played on the piano, with Elton John backing himself on the piano and using atmospheric keyboard textures and bass pedals. It requires a mid-level skill set to master, as players need to be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective feel of the song.
The song has a multi-layered backing vocal arrangement, with Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson providing the backing vocals. The backing vocals range from a low part in the third verse to a crescendo at the three-minute mark. The song also features delicate arpeggios and expressive dynamics, creating a poignant and emotional atmosphere.
In 1997, Elton John performed a rewritten version of the song, "Candle in the Wind 1997", as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died in an automobile crash. This version featured new lyrics and further solidified the song's place in music history. The original version of "Candle in the Wind" is considered one of the greatest songs of all time, and its emotional depth and melancholic melody continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
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The chord charts and hand positioning
"Candle in the Wind" by Elton John is a timeless classic that pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The song is in the key of E major and has a haunting chord progression, contributing to its melancholic and reflective vibe. The blend of major and minor chords adds depth to the emotional impact of the music.
To play "Candle in the Wind" on the piano, it is recommended to start by listening to the song a couple of times to get a sense of its overall structure and nuances. Familiarity with chord transitions and a good sense of dynamics are required to capture the reflective feel of the song.
The chord progression in the key of E major is as follows: E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m. This progression repeats throughout the song. The chords for the song can be found on chord charts, and it is important to pay attention to hand positioning when playing.
Initially, try playing the melody with the right hand only and get accustomed to it. Then, take a look at the accompaniment in the left hand and get familiar with that part. Once you have learned the song for both hands separately, you can try playing both hands together.
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The right-hand melody and left-hand accompaniment
To play the right-hand melody of "Candle in the Wind" on the piano, it is recommended to first listen to the song a few times to get a sense of its overall structure and nuances. This timeless classic, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, has an emotional depth and melancholic melody that has resonated with audiences worldwide. The song is in the key of E major, and the chord progression is E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m, repeating throughout the song. The blend of major and minor chords adds depth to the emotional impact of the music.
Once you are familiar with the melody, try playing it with your right hand. Start by placing your hand in the correct position, with your thumb on the E key and your fingers on the remaining keys in the chord. Play the chord in a smooth arpeggio, lifting each finger gently and sequentially to create a flowing sound. Practice this a few times until you can play the chord smoothly and expressively.
The left-hand accompaniment in "Candle in the Wind" provides a harmonious foundation to the melody. It involves playing a series of chords that complement the right-hand melody and create a rich, full sound. The left hand generally plays the root position chords, while the right hand plays the inverted chords, adding depth to the harmony.
To play the left-hand accompaniment, start by placing your hand in a comfortable position, usually with your fingers on the keys of the chord and your thumb under the hand for support. You will be playing the root position chords of the song's chord progression: E, A, B, and G#m. Practice playing these chords smoothly and in time with the right-hand melody. It is important to pay attention to your hand positioning and finger placement to ensure accurate and comfortable playing.
Once you have mastered the right-hand melody and left-hand accompaniment separately, you can bring them together to play the complete "Candle in the Wind." Coordinate both hands to play their respective parts simultaneously, ensuring that the timing and rhythm are maintained. Practice playing the song at a comfortable tempo, and gradually increase the speed as you become more familiar with the piece. Remember to express the emotions conveyed in the music through your dynamics and phrasing.
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Playing with both hands together
Playing "Candle in the Wind" with both hands together requires a mid-level skill set. Before attempting to play with both hands, it is important to get accustomed to the melody and the accompaniment separately. Once you have learned the song for each hand individually, you can try playing with both hands together. It is recommended to start slowly and then increase the tempo as you get more comfortable playing both parts simultaneously.
To master this piano piece, players should be familiar with chord transitions and have a good sense of dynamics to capture the reflective feel of the song. "Candle in the Wind" is in the key of E major and features delicate arpeggios and expressive dynamics, creating a poignant and emotional atmosphere.
When playing with both hands together, pay close attention to your hand positioning. The right hand will typically play the melody, while the left hand will handle the accompaniment. Make sure to practice the chord progressions and transitions smoothly between the two hands.
Additionally, it is helpful to listen to the song a few times to get a sense of its overall structure and nuances. Familiarize yourself with the chord charts and practice playing those chords together. Using a metronome can assist in maintaining a steady tempo as you practice.
Remember to take your time and practice each hand's part separately before attempting to play "Candle in the Wind" with both hands together. With patience and persistence, you will be able to capture the emotional depth and melancholic melody of this timeless classic.
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Frequently asked questions
The chord progression of 'Candle in the Wind' is E – A – E – B – A – E – G#m – F#m in the key of E major.
The tempo of the song is not publicly available.
The song requires a mid-level skill set to master. Familiarity with chord transitions and dynamics is necessary to capture the reflective feel of the song.
'Candle in the Wind' was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. In 1997, Elton John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Princess Diana.
Elton John plays the piano in 'Candle in the Wind'.
