Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Joe Hill on piano
Artist unknown
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–Isus–I–Isus loop
- Easy
Learn Joe Hill in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Gsus4 – G – Gsus4
Joe Hill sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Gsus4 is G, C and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIGsus4Isus4GIGsus4Isus4- GG · B · D
- Gsus4G · C · D
- 2
Left hand: Dawdling footsteps
Two steps, then a lazy late note after beat 3 that catches up on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 222 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Catch-up chords
Two chords, a late one after beat 3, then a dash to catch up. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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 – Gsus4 – G
The last chords are I – Isus – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GGsus4G
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Questions about Joe Hill
What chords are in Joe Hill?
The loop is G – Gsus4 – G – Gsus4 (I – Isus – I – Isus) in G major, and the song ends on G – Gsus4 – G.
What key is Joe Hill in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Joe Hill?
Dawdling footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Joe Hill 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.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.