How to Play Chinna Chinna Aasai / Dil Hai Chota Sa on Piano (AR Rahman)
Chinna Chinna Aasai (Dil Hai Chota Sa) is played on piano in D major over a steady reggae groove: the right hand plays the chords on every 'and' while the left hand plays the root on beats 1 and 3, using mainly D, A, D7, G, A minor, E minor and E minor 7 over a D bass.
Key points
- The song is almost entirely in D major, so start by learning that scale's chords: D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm and C#dim.
- A steady reggae groove runs through the whole song: the right hand plays on every 'and' and the left hand plays the root on beats 1 and 3.
- The hook uses D, A, D7 (D F# A C), G and a borrowed A minor chord.
- The intro alternates D with Em7 over a D bass, then plays A on the fourth round.
- In the chant section, every chord, including G and A, sits over a D bass.
In this lesson Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music shows how to play AR Rahman's Chinna Chinna Aasai (Hindi: Dil Hai Chota Sa) on the piano. It suits beginner to intermediate players who know basic triads and want a song they can play to accompany themselves or a singer. The song has a hook and verse, a second verse after a flute interlude, an intro and a chanting section near the end, all held together by one reggae rhythm.
Start with the key: D major
Almost the whole song sits in D major, which has two sharps, F# and C#. Before working out any chords, know which chords the scale gives you:
- I: D major (D F# A)
- ii: E minor (E G B)
- iii: F# minor (F# A C#)
- IV: G major (G B D)
- V: A major (A C# E)
- vi: B minor (B D F#)
- vii: C# diminished (C# E G), rarely used in pop songs because of its dark, tense sound
Most of what you play in the song is a rearrangement of these chords, plus a couple of colourful extras.
The reggae rhythm
The groove is a simple reggae pattern of the kind made famous by Bob Marley, and it stays the same for almost the whole song. Count in eighth notes: one and two and three and four and.
- Right hand: play the chord on every and (the upbeats). On guitar this would be an upstroke.
- Left hand: play the root of the chord on beats 1 and 3. For extra flavour, add the fifth of the chord on beat 3.
Practise this first on a D major chord until the offbeat feel is comfortable. Listening to Bob Marley's music will help you get the vibe right.
The hook and first verse
The opening vocal line moves between D and A, with D held for two beats. Jason voices D as A D F# because that is the inversion he hears in the recording. Then comes D7: keep A D F# and add C, giving the notes D F# A C.
The next line moves to G and then A minor (A C E). A minor is not in D major, which would normally give A major. It is a borrowed chord, a reminder that you can step outside the scale creatively. The section then returns through D, G and A before landing on D. The final A to D happens quickly, so make sure that change is crisp. Play the whole section once, repeat it, then repeat just the first line before moving on.
The intro
The intro alternates D major with E minor 7 over D (written Em7/D). Em7 is E G B D. Jason plays it as B D E G in the right hand while the left hand stays on D. The slash means the bass does not change. Play three rounds of this, then A major on the fourth. The flute melody can also be played on the keyboard.
Verse 2
After a flute interlude built on E minor, A minor, A major and Asus4, verse 2 begins with D and E minor. The E minor to A major change comes very fast. The next part moves around D, A and G, and the section stops on an A chord before returning to the hook.
The chanting section
Near the end, every chord keeps D in the bass, the root or sa of the song. Over that D, the right hand moves between the I (D major), IV (G major, so G/D) and V (A major, so A/D). Hearing G and A over a D bass gives this part its fresh, unusual sound.
How to practise
- Learn the D major scale chords and the extra chords: D7, A minor and Em7.
- Lock in the reggae rhythm on one chord, then on each chord change.
- Work through one section at a time, pausing to repeat each part. Slow down the quick changes, such as A to D and E minor to A.
- Play along with the recording or a singer once each section feels steady.
Questions about this lesson
What key is Chinna Chinna Aasai / Dil Hai Chota Sa in?
The song is almost entirely in D major, which has F# and C#. Most of its chords come from that scale, with a few borrowed colours such as A minor.
What rhythm should I use to play this song on piano?
Use a simple reggae pattern counted 'one and two and three and four and'. The right hand plays the chord on every 'and' and the left hand plays the root on beats 1 and 3. You can add the chord's fifth on beat 3 for extra flavour.
Why is there an A minor chord if the song is in D major?
D major would normally give you A major, so A minor is a borrowed chord from outside the scale. Using it adds colour and shows you can be creative with chord choices.
What does G/D or Em7/D mean in this song?
The note after the slash is the bass note. You play G major or E minor 7 in the right hand while the left hand stays on D, which gives the intro and chant section their distinctive sound.
Practise it
- WoodshedKeep a practice record, set goals and work on songs with tools for looping, changing speed and changing key.
- Groove MetronomeWork with tempo, accents and polyrhythms instead of a single unchanging click.
- Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
- All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.
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