Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Don't Walk Away on piano
By Miley Cyrus
- E major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- I–vi–V–IV loop
- 2009
- Easy
Learn Don't Walk Away in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – C#m – B – A
Don't Walk Away sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; C#m is C#, E and G#; B is B, D# and F#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIC#mviBVAIV- EE · G# · B
- C#mC# · E · G#
- BB · D# · F#
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Lub-dub heartbeat
Two quick beats, a pause, two quick beats: just like a real heart. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 80 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
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Questions about Don't Walk Away
What chords are in Don't Walk Away?
The loop is E – C#m – B – A (I – vi – V – IV) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Don't Walk Away in?
E major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Don't Walk Away?
Lub-dub heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Don't Walk Away 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.