Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Higher Love on piano
By Steve Winwood
- F major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- IV–I–V–vi loop
- 1986
- Easy
Learn Higher Love in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – F – C – Dm
Higher Love sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIVFICVDmvi- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Hurry-and-wait pulse
Three quick notes rush out early, then the bass waits for the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
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Questions about Higher Love
What chords are in Higher Love?
The loop is Bb – F – C – Dm (IV – I – V – vi) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Higher Love in?
F major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Higher Love?
Hurry-and-wait pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Higher Love 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.