Piano chords · Pop heartbeat

How to play Don't Try So Hard on piano

Tuning the piano…

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Learn Don't Try So Hard in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Am – F – C
Don't Try So Hard sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviFIVCI
- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
121 songs go round the same chords
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.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 73 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
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Don't Try So Hard?

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

What key is Don't Try So Hard in?

C major, at about 73 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Don't Try So Hard?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Don't Try So Hard 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.