Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Honey on piano
Written by Mariah Carey
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1997
- Easy
Learn Honey in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb – Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb
Honey sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Fm is F, Ab and C; Bb is Bb, D and F; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmviFmiiBbVEbICmviFmiiBbVEbI- CmC · Eb · G
- FmF · Ab · C
- BbBb · D · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 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 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: Fm – Bb – Eb
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FmBbEb
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Questions about Honey
What chords are in Honey?
The loop is Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb – Cm – Fm – Bb – Eb (vi – ii – V – I – vi – ii – V – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Fm – Bb – Eb.
What key is Honey in?
Eb major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Honey?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Honey easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Honey?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the repeating figure 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.