Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play I Believe I Can Fly on piano
By R. Kelly
- C major
- 4/4
- 76 BPM
- 1996
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn I Believe I Can Fly in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am7 – G – C – Am7 – Dm7
How it goes
I Believe I Can Fly sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: Am7 is A, C, E and G; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; Dm7 is D, F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Am7vi7GVCIAm7vi7Dm7ii7- Am7A · C · E · G
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah
How it goes
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 76 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 – Dm – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDmC- DmD · F · A
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Questions about I Believe I Can Fly
What chords are in I Believe I Can Fly?
The loop is Am7 – G – C – Am7 – Dm7 (vi7 – V – I – vi7 – ii7) in C major, and the song ends on C – Dm – C.
What key is I Believe I Can Fly in?
C major, at about 76 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in I Believe I Can Fly?
Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I Believe I Can Fly easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of I Believe I Can Fly?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.