How to Play Wipe Out on the Piano

For Piano Students

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The Surfaris song “Wipe Out” is a surf rock instrumental song that was released in 1963. Since it became a hit, it is considered one of the most influential songs in rock music history.

Here are some quick tips to get you started playing Wipe Out effortlessly on the piano in no time.

Song Structure

First, look at the music like a picture. Notice the structure of the song and any musical patterns happening throughout.

The first thing you’ll notice is this piano version is in the Key of G Major and uses mostly power chords (chords with only root and fifth notes).

The second thing you’ll see is this version of Wipe Out is composed of three sections:

intro/verse, bridge, and outro.

• The intro verse repeats the main riff four times with variations before going into the bridge.

• The bridge changes to a different chord progression and melody.

• The outro repeats the opening verse with variation and ends. You can choose to eliminate the last measure and repeat until you fade out.

Now try these finger warm-ups to get you ready for the song.

Start with Rhythm!

Clap and count for dotted quarter note and eighth note rhythms coming in on the second half of the beat.

Create a few of your own rhythm patterns like these to clap or drum out.

Mix and match patterns to challenge yourself.

Try playing two rhythmic lines at the same time.

Finger Technique

Next, practice these three short warmups to prepare you for the trickiest sections of the song.

1. Practice jumping between root position chords C and G on the piano using your left hand. Jump back and forth quickly between the two.

2. Practice the 5th-6th shuffle pattern in the right hand for when the melody opens up to 6th intervals. A shuffle pattern plays a 5th interval, then opens up to a 6th interval, then closes back to a 5th interval, and continues alternating between the two.

3. Play chromatic scales and half steps using different fingers, especially using fingers 2-3-4. Find different places and octaves on the piano to play various half steps walking up the piano with a 2-3-4 finger pattern.

Improvisation

Next, I like to have students practice 12-bar blues warmups (you’ll see this pattern in the bridge) where they jump between the same chords in time to the rhythm. It’s a great creative exercise that gives the freedom to make their own ideas while also including some themes from the song.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 12-bar blues pattern, I often use this book to give students guidance on the 12-measure pattern.

look inside

Discover Blues Improvisation An Introduction to Blues Piano. Faber Piano Adventures. Blues Instruction, Educational, Improvisation, Method. Softcover Audio Online. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1155CD. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420215).

It’s a great introduction to this commonly used style to help students get started and used to improvisation.

Playing the Main Verse/Intro of the Song

In this music arrangement, the main riff is played on the right hand and consists mainly of eighth notes on D-F-F#-G (in ascending order). The left hand plays power chords on G and C.

If you’ve done the recommended warmups listed above this should be easy to play now.

Practice playing along with a backing track or metronome at a slow tempo. Gradually increase the speed until reaching the tempo of 150-155 bpm.

Playing the Bridge of the Song

The bridge section is played on both hands and consists of 16 bars divided into four phrases.

Each phrase has a different chord progression and melody, but they all end with a descending chromatic scale (a scale with half-step intervals).

This section plays chords and 6th intervals with dotted quarter-note rhythms. If you’ve done the rhythmic clapping and warm-up recommendations before trying this section out, you’ll be playing it hands together quickly.

Emphasize the syncopation (off-beat accent) and accented notes.

Practice playing along with a backing track or metronome at a slow tempo. Gradually increase the speed until reaching the tempo of 150-155 bpm.

Playing the Outro of the Song

Remember the outro repeats the opening verse with variation and ends. You can choose to eliminate the last measure and repeat until you fade out.

Performance and Extras

Once you’ve learned each part, review both sections and practice playing them together as a whole song.

For more performance and practice tips check out some of my other articles:

• Best Piano Practice Tips

• Recording Piano Practices

Purchase the digital sheet music for Wipe Out pictured above by clicking the link below.

look inside

Wipe Out By The Surfaris. By The Surfaris. Arranged by Laura Reynolds. Contemporary. Score. 2 pages. Laura Reynolds #5744855. Published by Laura Reynolds (A0.810369).

Or search for something else in this search box.

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If you’re looking to upgrade your setup and want piano and keyboard recommendations check out this article.

Happy Playing!