Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Hold On on piano
By tobyMac
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 92 BPM
- I–V–ii–IV loop
- 2010
- Easy
Learn Hold On in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Ab – Eb – Bbm – Db
Hold On sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Db is Db, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIEbVBbmiiDbIV- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbmBb · Db · F
- DbDb · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Butterfly heartbeat
A quick fluttery group at the start, then a long glide to beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 89 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 92 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 – Db – Ab
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbDbAb
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Questions about Hold On
What chords are in Hold On?
The loop is Ab – Eb – Bbm – Db (I – V – ii – IV) in Ab major, and the song ends on Eb – Db – Ab.
What key is Hold On in?
Ab major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Hold On?
Butterfly heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hold On 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.