Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Giving Up on piano
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 2008
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Giving Up in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D7 – F – G
How it goes
Giving Up sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviD7II7FIVGV- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Giant steps
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking. Musicians call it lh chords (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Catch-up chords
How it goes
Two chords, a late one after beat 3, then a dash to catch up. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- CC · E · G
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Questions about Giving Up
What chords are in Giving Up?
The loop is Am – D7 – F – G (vi – II7 – IV – V) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Giving Up in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Giving Up?
Giant steps: lh chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Giving Up 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.