Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play High Hopes on piano
By Kodaline
- E major
- 4/4
- 82 BPM
- 2012
- Easy
Learn High Hopes in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – E – G# – C#m
High Hopes sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; G# is G#, B# and D#; C#m is C#, E and G#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIVEIG#IIIC#mvi- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- G#G# · B# · D#
- C#mC# · 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: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 82 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- BB · D# · F#
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Questions about High Hopes
What chords are in High Hopes?
The loop is A – E – G# – C#m (IV – I – III – vi) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is High Hopes in?
E major, at about 82 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in High Hopes?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is High Hopes 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.