Howl's Moving Castle

Lesson Notes

Breaking it down

• Note-by-note breakdown:

  This piece is right hand only — it carries both the melody and the accompaniment, so there's no left hand part to line up. Play straight down this list, measure by measure; the "+" pairs are two notes played together as one chord.

  Measure	Right hand
  1	B♭ + D (chord)
  2	B♭ + D (chord)
  3	B♭ + D (chord)
  4	A + C (chord)
  5	A + C (chord)
  6	A + C (chord)
  7	G + B♭ (chord)
  8	G + B♭ (chord)
  9	G + B♭ (chord)
  10	G♭ + A (chord)
  11	E + G (chord)
  12	E♭ + G♭ (chord)
  13	D
  14	A
  15	D
  16	G♭
  17	A
  18	D

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• Practice tips:
  • Practice the repeating chords slowly first, keeping each one even — the right hand carries both melody and accompaniment here.
  • Feel it in groups of three; it's a waltz, so let it flow rather than sound mechanical.
  • Use light finger pressure on the chords so they stay gentle, not harsh.
• History: Composed by Joe Hisaishi for Studio Ghibli's 2004 film Howl's Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Often called "Merry-Go-Round of Life," it's one of Hisaishi's most performed pieces outside the film itself.