Can-Can (Galop Infernal)
About this arrangement
The tune is the Galop Infernal from the end of Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, first staged in Paris in 1858. Decades later the Moulin Rouge and the Folies Bergere used it for the can-can dance, and the name stuck to the music.
Do not start at speed. The galop is built from short repeated figures, so learn one figure at a time, slowly, together with the left-hand chords. Then raise the tempo in small steps. Keep the right-hand repeated notes light, or your arm will tire.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 Is the Can-Can by Offenbach?
Yes. It is the Galop Infernal from his 1858 operetta Orpheus in the Underworld. The can-can dance was set to it later.
02 Is the Can-Can hard on piano?
It is intermediate. The notes repeat a lot, but the speed takes practice.
03 What key is this arrangement in?
D major, with two sharps.
