Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Amazing Grace on piano
Written by Tramaine Hawkins & Marty Paich
- E major
- 6/8
- 105 BPM
- I–I7–IV–I loop
- 1994
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Amazing Grace in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – E7 – A – E
How it goes
Amazing Grace sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; E7 is E, G#, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIE7I7AIVEI- EE · G# · B
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah
How it goes
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 105 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: A – B – E
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- BB · D# · F#
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Questions about Amazing Grace
What chords are in Amazing Grace?
The loop is E – E7 – A – E (I – I7 – IV – I) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Amazing Grace in?
E major, at about 105 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Amazing Grace?
Oom-pah: bass + chords, 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.