Piano chords · Bossa beach
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door: piano accompaniment sheet music
By Bob Dylan
- G major
- 4/4
- 69 BPM
- 1973
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door written out as piano music: the ii7 – I – V – IV – I – V loop in G major for both hands, with chord names and finger numbers. Press play and follow the cursor. The left hand plays bossa sway (root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&)), and the right hand sings the tune.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door chord chart
The loop once round, bar by bar, in G major. The roman numeral says the chord's place in the key, so the same chart works in any key.
| Bar | Chord | Numeral | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Am7 | ii7 | A C E G |
| 2 | G | I | G B D |
| 2 | D | V | D F# A |
| 3 | C | IV | C E G |
| 4 | G | I | G B D |
| 4 | D | V | D F# A |
What the sheet music shows
The grand staff: the right hand on the treble staff, the left hand on the bass staff, with the chord names above and a finger number on each note (1 is the thumb). It is the accompaniment: bossa sway (root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&)) in the left hand, with the right hand free for the melody, over the Am7 – G – D – C – G – D chords.
Press play and a cursor follows the music. Above it, Colours paints each note in its key’s colour and Note names writes its letter on its head.
To see the real melody written out, play “The part you know”: the sheet music changes to it.
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Questions about Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Does the sheet music for Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door have finger numbers?
Yes: every note of both hands has its finger number, 1 being the thumb. To read the notes alone, turn Fingers off above the music.
What chords are in Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door?
The loop is Am7 – G – D – C – G – D (ii7 – I – V – IV – I – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door in?
G major, at about 69 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door 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 Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.