Play the La La Land piano theme by learning its chords, melody, and simple left‑hand patterns.

I’ve spent years arranging film music for piano and teaching students how to play La La Land piano. This guide walks you through the melody, chord progressions, fingerings, pedaling, and practice plans. You’ll get clear steps for beginners and tips for intermediate players who want authentic voicings and feel. Read on to learn how to play La La Land piano with confidence and musicality.

Why the La La Land theme works on piano

The La La Land soundtrack blends jazz harmony with pop melody. That mix makes the songs rich but playable on piano. Knowing basic jazz chords helps you capture the color without needing advanced technique.

The main theme is memorable and repeats simple motifs. This makes it ideal for learning how to play La La Land piano. Once you know the chord framework, you can vary voicings, rhythm, and dynamics to make it your own.

Sheet music, keys, and chords you need

Start with the right key. The original theme often sits in C major and related keys, but some arrangements use Eb or F for vocal comfort. For piano, C major or A minor versions are easiest.

Core chords to learn:

• C major, Am, F, G — basic pop foundation.
• Dm7, G7, Cmaj7 — classic jazz cadence.
• Em7, A7, Dm7 — ii–V movement for color.
• Suspended and add9 voicings for sparkle.

How to read the lead sheet:

1. Read the melody in the treble clef.
2. Play chord symbols above the staff with your left hand.
3. Add simple bass notes on beats 1 and 3 for steady pulse.

Knowing these chords makes it much easier to play La La Land piano. If you can play basic voicings and root motion, you can assemble a faithful rendition quickly.

Step-by-step tutorial for beginners

Step 1: Learn the melody slowly. Play the right hand alone. Count beats and sing the phrase if it helps.
Step 2: Add the left hand with single bass notes. Keep the left hand steady on beats 1 and 3.
Step 3: Combine hands at a slow tempo. Use a metronome and stay relaxed.
Step 4: Replace single bass notes with simple broken chords. Try root–fifth–root patterns.
Step 5: Introduce basic chord voicings with the left hand and melody in the right. Keep voicings close to the melody notes.

Practice tips for each step:

• Use short sections of 4 bars.
• Repeat slowly and increase tempo only when accurate.
• Record yourself to check timing and balance.

These steps form a clear path to learning how to play La La Land piano. Stick to each step until it feels natural.

Intermediate techniques and authentic voicings

To sound closer to the film score, add color tones and rhythmic nuance. Use maj7, 9ths, and sus chords to mimic the lush harmony.

Voicing ideas:

• Right hand: melody with guide tones (3rd and 7th) under the tune.
• Left hand: root and tenth for a fuller sound.
• Use closed voicings in quiet parts and open voicings for big moments.

Rhythmic feel:

• Use light swing on eighth notes where appropriate.
• Apply gentle rubato at phrase ends.
• Accent the upbeat in some bars for a jazzy push.

Pedal and tone:

• Use pedal sparingly to avoid blurring.
• Change pedal at chord changes and on strong beats.
• Aim for a warm, rounded tone rather than a bright, percussive sound.

These techniques upgrade your version when you want to play La La Land piano with richness and style.

A practical 4-week practice plan

Week 1: Learn melody and basic left-hand roots. Ten to twenty minutes daily.
Week 2: Add simple chord voicings and broken patterns. Practice slow to medium tempo.
Week 3: Work on voicings, dynamics, and pedal. Start adding rubato and swing.
Week 4: Polish transitions, record a performance, and refine phrasing.

Daily session structure:

1. Warm up with scales for five minutes.
2. Practice one section slowly for ten minutes.
3. Run through the whole piece twice, focusing on musicality for five minutes.

Follow this plan to steadily learn how to play La La Land piano without overwhelm.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Rushing the tempo too soon leads to sloppy hands. Keep speed low until the notes and changes are secure. Neglecting balance makes the melody disappear under chords. Always bring the melody out with the right hand.

Over-pedaling blurs harmony. Change pedal at each chord and when harmonies shift. Ignoring voicings makes your playing sound flat. Learn at least two voicing options per chord to vary color.

Avoid these mistakes to sound clean and expressive when you play La La Land piano.

Arranging and improvising your own version

Start with a simple arrangement and add flair slowly. Keep the melody intact in early sections, then experiment in bridges or codas. Use these ideas to personalize your version.

Improvisation starters:

• Improvise over the chord roots first.
• Use the major scale, mixolydian, and Dorian modes for color.
• Apply short motifs from the theme and vary them.

Transposing tips:

• Move the piece to an easier key if needed for comfort.
• Use a capo or transpose digitally if accompanying singers.
• Check voicing shapes after transposition for playability.

These guidelines help you adapt and expand how to play La La Land piano into your own style.

My personal lessons and mistakes

I remember rushing to learn the theme quickly. I skipped voicings and it sounded thin. Slowing down and learning one chord color at a time changed everything. Recording daily for a week revealed timing flaws I missed live.

One student learned left-hand patterns first and then added melody. That approach worked fast. My advice: be patient, focus on tiny improvements, and celebrate small wins as you learn how to play La La Land piano.

Frequently Asked Questions of how to play la la land piano

How hard is it to play the La La Land piano theme?

The theme is accessible. Beginners can learn a simple version in a few weeks with regular practice, while full jazz voicings need more study.

What key is the La La Land theme in?

The movie key varies by track, but many piano arrangements use C major or A minor. You can transpose to fit your range.

Do I need to know jazz theory to play La La Land piano?

No, basic chord knowledge is enough to start. Learning ii–V–I progressions and seventh chords will deepen your sound.

How long should I practice each day to learn this piece?

Daily practice of 15–30 minutes is effective. Short focused sessions beat occasional long ones.

Can I improvise over the La La Land chords?

Yes. Start with simple scale lines and repeat motifs. Gradually add color tones and rhythmic variation.

Conclusion

You now have a clear path to learn how to play La La Land piano, from melody practice to advanced voicings and improvisation. Start small, stick to a practice plan, and focus on tone and balance. Try the four-week plan, record your progress, and tweak voicings to make the piece yours. Ready to practice? Leave a comment, subscribe for more tutorials, or share a recording of your version.