Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Highland Cathedral on piano
By Michael Korb
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- V7–I–V–I loop
- 1982
- Easy
Learn Highland Cathedral in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb7 – Eb – Bb – Eb
Highland Cathedral sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7EbIBbVEbI- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), 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 120 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: Eb – Ab – Eb
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbAbEb- AbAb · C · Eb
Play next
Questions about Highland Cathedral
What chords are in Highland Cathedral?
The loop is Bb7 – Eb – Bb – Eb (V7 – I – V – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Ab – Eb.
What key is Highland Cathedral in?
Eb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Highland Cathedral?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Highland Cathedral 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 5 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.