Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Heaven Knows on piano
Written by Luther Vandross & Reed Vertelney
- D major
- 4/4
- 128 BPM
- 1993
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Heaven Knows in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – F#7 – F#m – D
How it goes
Heaven Knows sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; F#7 is F#, A#, C# and E; F#m is F#, A and C#; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVF#7III7F#miiiDI- GG · B · D
- F#7F# · A# · C# · E
- F#mF# · A · C#
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
How it goes
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Mouse-run chords
How it goes
Skips beat 1, scurries through four quick chords, then hides. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 128 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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- AA · C# · E
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Questions about Heaven Knows
What chords are in Heaven Knows?
The loop is G – F#7 – F#m – D (IV – III7 – iii – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Heaven Knows in?
D major, at about 128 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Heaven Knows?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Heaven Knows 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.