Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Holy Ground on piano
Written by Geron Davis
- C major
- 4/4
- 60 BPM
- VI7–ii–V7–I loop
- 1983
- Easy
Learn Holy Ground in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – Dm – G7 – C
Holy Ground sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7VI7DmiiG7V7CI- A7A · C# · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-hop chords
Steady chords with one quick extra hop after beat 3. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 60 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C
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Questions about Holy Ground
What chords are in Holy Ground?
The loop is A7 – Dm – G7 – C (VI7 – ii – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is Holy Ground in?
C major, at about 60 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Holy Ground?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Holy Ground 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 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.