Always On My Mind Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Always On My Mind in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: D – G – D – Em
Always On My Mind 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; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIGIVDIEmii
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
75 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Three-step climb
Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Three-step climbBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
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: Em – A7 – D
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EmA7D
- A7A · C# · E · G

What chords are in Always On My Mind?

The loop is D – G – D – Em (I – IV – I – ii) in D major, and the song ends on Em – A7 – D.

What key is Always On My Mind in?

D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Always On My Mind?

Three-step climb: broken chord 1-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Always On My Mind 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.