Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Eye Of The Tiger on piano
Written by Frank Sullivan & Jim Peterik
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 112 BPM
- vi–IV–V–vi loop
- 1982
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Eye Of The Tiger in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Ab – Bb – Cm
How it goes
Eye Of The Tiger sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmviAbIVBbVCmvi- CmC · Eb · G
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 112 BPM
How it goes
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: Eb – Db – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are I – bVII – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbDbEb- EbEb · G · Bb
- DbDb · F · Ab
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Questions about Eye Of The Tiger
What chords are in Eye Of The Tiger?
The loop is Cm – Ab – Bb – Cm (vi – IV – V – vi) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Db – Eb.
What key is Eye Of The Tiger in?
Eb major, at about 112 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Eye Of The Tiger?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Eye Of The Tiger 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Eye Of The Tiger?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.