If Not For You Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn If Not For You in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: G – D – C – G
If Not For You sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIDVCIVGI
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
202 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
Rock hopRoot bass rhythm · RockLeft handEasy
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 110 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: D – C – G
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DCG

What chords are in If Not For You?

The loop is G – D – C – G (I – V – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on D – C – G.

What key is If Not For You in?

G major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in If Not For You?

Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is If Not For You 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.