Piano chords · Slow dance ’50s
How to play Higher Ground on piano
Written by Stevie Wonder
- E minor
- 12/8
- 106 BPM
- 1973
- Easy
Learn Higher Ground in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A
Higher Ground sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 12 chords: Em7 is E, G, B and D; G is G, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Em7i7GIIIAIVEm7i7GIIIAIVEm7i7GIIIAIVEm7i7GIIIAIV- Em7E · G · B · D
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Slow-dance heartbeat
Four slow, deep beats under a swaying fifties ballad. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 134 songs of the library.
- 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
Both hands at 106 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: C – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
Play next
Questions about Higher Ground
What chords are in Higher Ground?
The loop is Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A – Em7 – G – A (i7 – III – IV – i7 – III – IV – i7 – III – IV – i7 – III – IV) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.
What key is Higher Ground in?
E minor, at about 106 beats a minute in 12/8.
What does the left hand play in Higher Ground?
Slow-dance heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Higher Ground easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 12 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Higher Ground?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.