Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Don’t on piano
- F major
- 12/8
- 68 BPM
- 1957
- Easy
Learn Don’t in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – Dm7 – F – F7 – Bb – Gm – F – Dm
Don’t sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Dm7 is D, F, A and C; F is F, A and C; F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7Dm7vi7FIF7I7BbIVGmiiFIDmvi- C7C · E · G · Bb
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- FF · A · C
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 68 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: F – Bb7 – F
The last chords are I – IV7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FBb7F- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
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Questions about Don’t
What chords are in Don’t?
The loop is C7 – Dm7 – F – F7 – Bb – Gm – F – Dm (V7 – vi7 – I – I7 – IV – ii – I – vi) in F major, and the song ends on F – Bb7 – F.
What key is Don’t in?
F major, at about 68 beats a minute in 12/8.
What does the left hand play in Don’t?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Don’t easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Don’t?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 5 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.