Super Simple Chords

Piano chords · Blues & boogie

How to play Here Beside Me on piano

Written by Joel McNeely

Tuning the piano…
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Style

Left hand Jazz walkThe right hand sings the tuneChords the loop the song repeats most

Learn Here Beside Me in 5 steps

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

  1. 1

    Chords: G7 – C – G7 – C

    Here Beside Me sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.

    G7V7CIG7V7CI
    • G7G · B · D · F
    • CC · E · G
    414 songs go round the same chords
  2. 2

    Left hand: Jazz walk

    One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), 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 90 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: F – G – C

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

    FGC
    • FF · A · C
    • GG · B · D

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Questions about Here Beside Me

What chords are in Here Beside Me?

The loop is G7 – C – G7 – C (V7 – I – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Here Beside Me in?

C major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Here Beside Me?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Here Beside Me 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.