Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Hold On, Help Is On The Way on piano
By Rev. Kenneth Paden
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1989
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Hold On, Help Is On The Way in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: B7 – E7 – Am7 – C#7 – F#7 – Bm7 – F#m7 – B7 – Em7 – C – G
How it goes
Hold On, Help Is On The Way sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 11 chords: B7 is B, D#, F# and A; E7 is E, G#, B and D; Am7 is A, C, E and G; C#7 is C#, E#, G# and B; F#7 is F#, A#, C# and E; Bm7 is B, D, F# and A; F#m7 is F#, A, C# and E; Em7 is E, G, B and D; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
B7III7E7VI7Am7ii7C#7#IV7F#7VII7Bm7iii7F#m7vii7B7III7Em7vi7CIVGI- B7B · D# · F# · A
- E7E · G# · B · D
- Am7A · C · E · G
- C#7C# · E# · G# · B
- F#7F# · A# · C# · E
- Bm7B · D · F# · A
- F#m7F# · A · C# · E
- Em7E · G · B · D
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Hurry-and-wait pulse
How it goes
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: the chords, held
How it goes
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 100 BPM
How it goes
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 – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Hold On, Help Is On The Way
What chords are in Hold On, Help Is On The Way?
The loop is B7 – E7 – Am7 – C#7 – F#7 – Bm7 – F#m7 – B7 – Em7 – C – G (III7 – VI7 – ii7 – #IV7 – VII7 – iii7 – vii7 – III7 – vi7 – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Hold On, Help Is On The Way in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hold On, Help Is On The Way?
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 Hold On, Help Is On The Way easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 11 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Hold On, Help Is On The Way?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.