Don't Give Up Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Don't Give Up in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: C – G – C – F
Don't Give Up sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVCIFIV
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- FF · A · C
76 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
Rock hopRoot bass rhythm · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pop stabsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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 – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC

What chords are in Don't Give Up?

The loop is C – G – C – F (I – V – I – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Don't Give Up in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Don't Give Up?

Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Don't Give Up 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.