Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Firm Foundation on piano
By Nancy Gordon
- F major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- IV–I–V–I loop
- 1994
- Easy
Learn Firm Foundation in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – F – C – F
Firm Foundation sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIVFICVFI- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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 – C – F
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FCF
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Questions about Firm Foundation
What chords are in Firm Foundation?
The loop is Bb – F – C – F (IV – I – V – I) in F major, and the song ends on F – C – F.
What key is Firm Foundation in?
F major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Firm Foundation?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Firm Foundation 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.