Did you grow up playing Chopsticks on the piano? I did. And many of my friends did. Even kids that didn’t play the piano knew how to play Chopsticks. It is probably the most “popular” piano song ever — not because it’s a great song, but because it is so easy to play.

If you would like to play it in a different way than everyone else, take a look at this short video. Perhaps it will stimulate some ideas in your mind that will apply not just to Chopsticks, but to arranging songs in general.

Chopsticks was originally named the “Chop Waltz”.  It is a simple song written by a 16-year old girl, and is probably the most popular song ever for the piano, since it can be played by people who don’t play the piano. I remember playing it as a very young child, and most of my friends, none of whom were pianists, could play it too.  It was designed to be played in two-part harmony with both hands held sideways, little fingers down, striking the keys with a chopping motion, which is the antithis of good pianistic technique. But it’s fun, and you can make it sound a lot fuller by adding just 2 chords to it in the left hand. Watch this 3 minute video and you’ll get the idea.