Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Cheatin' on piano
By Sara Evans
- A major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- I–ii–I–ii loop
- 2005
- Easy
Learn Cheatin' in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – Bm – A – Bm
Cheatin' sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; Bm is B, D and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIBmiiAIBmii- AA · C# · E
- BmB · D · F#
- 2
Left hand: Hop-back bounce
High, low, then back up to stay: a simple, sturdy bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 171 songs of the library.
- 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 90 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: A – Bm – A
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABmA
Play next
Questions about Cheatin'
What chords are in Cheatin'?
The loop is A – Bm – A – Bm (I – ii – I – ii) in A major, and the song ends on A – Bm – A.
What key is Cheatin' in?
A major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Cheatin'?
Hop-back bounce: broken chord 8-5-8-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Cheatin' 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.