Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Just A Closer Walk With Thee on piano
By Kenneth Morris
- C major
- 4/4
- 110 BPM
- I–biiio–ii–V7 loop
- 1983
- Easy
Learn Just A Closer Walk With Thee in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D#dim – Dm – G7
Just A Closer Walk With Thee sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D#dim is D#, F# and A; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CID#dimbiii°DmiiG7V7- CC · E · G
- D#dimD# · F# · A
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-knock chords
One chord, a long wait, then a quick knock-knock at the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Just A Closer Walk With Thee
What chords are in Just A Closer Walk With Thee?
The loop is C – D#dim – Dm – G7 (I – biiio – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Just A Closer Walk With Thee in?
C major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Just A Closer Walk With Thee?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Just A Closer Walk With Thee 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.