Hangin' On Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Hangin' On in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Db – Ab – Eb – Ab
How it goes
Hangin' On sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Db is Db, F and Ab; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DbIVAbIEbVAbI
- DbDb · F · Ab
- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
66 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
How it goes
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Offbeat skankOffbeat chords · Blues and boogie-woogieRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 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: Db – Eb – Ab
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbAb

What chords are in Hangin' On?

The loop is Db – Ab – Eb – Ab (IV – I – V – I) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.

What key is Hangin' On in?

Ab major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Hangin' On?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Hangin' On 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.