Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Afterwhile on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- I–ii–IV–V loop
- Easy
Learn Afterwhile in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – F – G
Afterwhile sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; 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.
CIDmiiFIVGV- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Hurry-and-wait pulse
Three quick notes rush out early, then the bass waits for the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 BPM
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
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about Afterwhile
What chords are in Afterwhile?
The loop is C – Dm – F – G (I – ii – IV – V) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Afterwhile in?
C major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Afterwhile?
Hurry-and-wait pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Afterwhile 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.