If We Make It Through December Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn If We Make It Through December in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Eb – Bb – F
If We Make It Through December sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIEbbVIIBbIVFI
- FF · A · C
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
102 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
Lazy seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Lub-dub chords
Two quick chords, a pause, two quick chords: just like a heartbeat. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Lub-dub chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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: Eb – Bb – F
The last chords are bVII – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbBbF

What chords are in If We Make It Through December?

The loop is F – Eb – Bb – F (I – bVII – IV – I) in F major, and the song ends on Eb – Bb – F.

What key is If We Make It Through December in?

F major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in If We Make It Through December?

Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is If We Make It Through December 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.