Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play If You Only Knew on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 4/4
- 94 BPM
- IV–I–V–vi loop
- Medium
Learn If You Only Knew in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – C – G – Am
If You Only Knew sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVCIGVAmvi- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Fluttering heartbeat
A quick flutter before beat 2, then a push before beat 3. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 152 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 94 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about If You Only Knew
What chords are in If You Only Knew?
The loop is F – C – G – Am (IV – I – V – vi) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is If You Only Knew in?
C major, at about 94 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in If You Only Knew?
Fluttering heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is If You Only Knew easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.