Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play How Can Love Survive on piano
Artist unknown
- F major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- vi–ii–V7–I loop
- Easy
Learn How Can Love Survive in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – Gm – C7 – F
How Can Love Survive sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmviGmiiC7V7FI- DmD · F · A
- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Little march
A chord, then a single low note: left, right, like a little march. Musicians call it lh chords (2/4) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in 278 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Polka-hop chords
Chords only on the “ands” in a quick two-beat bar: the “pah” of a polka. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 135 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: Gm – C7 – F
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmC7F
Play next
Questions about How Can Love Survive
What chords are in How Can Love Survive?
The loop is Dm – Gm – C7 – F (vi – ii – V7 – I) in F major, and the song ends on Gm – C7 – F.
What key is How Can Love Survive in?
F major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in How Can Love Survive?
Little march: lh chords (2/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is How Can Love Survive 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.