Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Church Bells on piano
Written by Hillary Lee Lindsey, Zach Crowell & others
- F major
- 4/4
- 76 BPM
- V–IV–I–vi loop
- 2014
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Church Bells in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Bb – F – Dm
How it goes
Church Bells sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CVBbIVFIDmvi- CC · E · G
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), 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 76 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: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
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Questions about Church Bells
What chords are in Church Bells?
The loop is C – Bb – F – Dm (V – IV – I – vi) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Church Bells in?
F major, at about 76 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Church Bells?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Church Bells 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.