Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Army on piano
By Ben Folds Five
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 160 BPM
- I–v–IV–I loop
- 1999
- Easy
Learn Army in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Ab – Ebm – Db – Ab
Army sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; Db is Db, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIEbmvDbIVAbI- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- DbDb · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Sleepy heartbeat
One long note, then a soft double tap in the second half. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 314 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Db – Eb – Ab
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbAb- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about Army
What chords are in Army?
The loop is Ab – Ebm – Db – Ab (I – v – IV – I) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.
What key is Army in?
Ab major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Army?
Sleepy heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 3 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Army 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.