Super Simple Chords

Piano chords · Dreamy ballad

How to play For The Cross on piano

Written by Matt & Beth Redman

Tuning the piano…
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Style

Left hand Three-step climbThe right hand sings the tuneChords the loop the song repeats most

Learn For The Cross in 5 steps

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

  1. 1

    Chords: A – G – Bm – A

    For The Cross sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; G is G, B and D; Bm is B, D and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.

    AVGIVBmviAV
    • AA · C# · E
    • GG · B · D
    • BmB · D · F#
    17 songs go round the same chords
  2. 2

    Left hand: Three-step climb

    Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.

  3. 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. 4

    Both hands at 116 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. 5

    Ending: G – A – D

    The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.

    GAD
    • DD · F# · A

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Questions about For The Cross

What chords are in For The Cross?

The loop is A – G – Bm – A (V – IV – vi – V) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is For The Cross in?

D major, at about 116 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in For The Cross?

Three-step climb: broken chord 1-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is For The Cross 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.