Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Cruel To Be Kind on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 132 BPM
- IV–V–iii–vi loop
- Medium
Learn Cruel To Be Kind in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – G – Em – Am
Cruel To Be Kind sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVGVEmiiiAmvi- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hurrying chords
Calm chords in the first half, then twice as fast to the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 132 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: Dm – G – C
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmGC- DmD · F · A
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Cruel To Be Kind
What chords are in Cruel To Be Kind?
The loop is F – G – Em – Am (IV – V – iii – vi) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G – C.
What key is Cruel To Be Kind in?
C major, at about 132 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Cruel To Be Kind?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Cruel To Be Kind easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.