Eight Miles High Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Eight Miles High in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – G – D – C
Eight Miles High sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiGIIIDVIICVI
- EmE · G · B
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
17 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock 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: C – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm

What chords are in Eight Miles High?

The loop is Em – G – D – C (i – bIII – bVII – bVI) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.

What key is Eight Miles High in?

E minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Eight Miles High?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Eight Miles High 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.