Joe Hisaishi · 2004
Origins
Legendary Japanese film composer Joe Hisaishi wrote Merry-Go-Round of Life for Hayao Miyazaki's 2004 animated masterpiece Howl's Moving Castle. Hisaishi sought a timeless European ballroom waltz that could capture the moving magic of Howl's castle, Sophie's youth, and a soaring love that transcends curses and war.
Context
Set in a buoyant 3/4 waltz time in G minor. The signature waltz rhythm anchors the piece: a resonant bass note on beat 1 followed by two crisp, soft chords on beats 2 and 3. Over this sway, a poetic violin and piano line dances with tender expressive rubato.
Piano Guide & Structure
Chords in this arrangement:
Practice tip: Count ONE-two-three gently. Let your left arm drop with natural gravity onto beat 1, then keep beats 2 and 3 feather-light so the waltz floats rather than drags.
Interactive challenge to practice before playing:
🎯 Prep Sight Reading Challenge →Free, in your browser: follow the falling notes, slow it down, and add it to your learnings.
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Melody in the right hand, bass in the left. Watch the notes fall in Live Piano and play along at your own speed.
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