Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Kristofferson on piano
By Tim McGraw
- D major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 2004
- Easy
Learn Kristofferson in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – Em – A7 – D
Kristofferson sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; Em is E, G and B; A7 is A, C#, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AVEmiiA7V7DI- AA · C# · E
- EmE · G · B
- A7A · C# · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Push and land
A push just before beat 3, then two calm landings. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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 – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
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Questions about Kristofferson
What chords are in Kristofferson?
The loop is A – Em – A7 – D (V – ii – V7 – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Kristofferson in?
D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Kristofferson?
Push and land: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Kristofferson 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.