If Only Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn If Only in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bm7 – Bm7 – D – E – D – E
If Only sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: Bm7 is B, D, F# and A; D is D, F# and A; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bm7vi7Bm7vi7DIEIIDIEII
- Bm7B · D · F# · A
- DD · F# · A
- EE · G# · B
384 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Marching chords
Two chords per bar, left-right, like a happy little march. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Marching chordsBlock chords · StrideRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in If Only?

The loop is Bm7 – Bm7 – D – E – D – E (vi7 – I – II – I – II – vi7) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is If Only in?

D major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in If Only?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is If Only easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of If Only?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.