Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Amazing Grace on piano
Written by Traditional
- Eb major
- 3/4
- 105 BPM
- IV–I–V–I loop
- Easy
Learn Amazing Grace in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Ab – Eb – Bb – Eb
Amazing Grace sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIVEbIBbVEbI- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Sleepy waltz chords
A long chord, then a double on beat 3: a lazy, rocking waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 105 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: Eb – Fm – Eb
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFmEb- FmF · Ab · C
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Questions about Amazing Grace
What chords are in Amazing Grace?
The loop is Ab – Eb – Bb – Eb (IV – I – V – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Fm – Eb.
What key is Amazing Grace in?
Eb major, at about 105 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Amazing Grace?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Amazing Grace 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.