How to Play Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock
Watermelon Man (1962) is a beginner-level jazz song that uses 4 chords: F, B7, C7, F in the key of F. The chord progression is I–IV7–V7–I.
Chord Breakdown
- F — major chord, bright and stable
- B7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- C7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- F — major chord, bright and stable
About Watermelon Man
"Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock (released 1962) is one of the most recognizable jazz songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of F, B7, C7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.
Learning Watermelon Man as a Beginner
If you're learning to play Watermelon Man, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.