Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Unanswered Prayers on piano
Written by Pat Alger, Larry Bastian & others
- D major
- 4/4
- 70 BPM
- I–IV–Vsus–V loop
- 1990
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Unanswered Prayers in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – G – Asus4 – A
How it goes
Unanswered Prayers sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D; Asus4 is A, D and E; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIGIVAsus4Vsus4AV- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- Asus4A · D · E
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Marching giant
How it goes
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Musicians call it lh triads (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Springy chords
How it goes
A quick double skip at the start, then steady chords to the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 70 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: D – A7 – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DA7D- A7A · C# · E · G
Play next
Questions about Unanswered Prayers
What chords are in Unanswered Prayers?
The loop is D – G – Asus4 – A (I – IV – Vsus – V) in D major, and the song ends on D – A7 – D.
What key is Unanswered Prayers in?
D major, at about 70 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Unanswered Prayers?
Marching giant: lh triads, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Unanswered Prayers easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.