Let Her Go Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Let Her Go in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Em – C – G – D
Let Her Go sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiCVIGIIIDVII
- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
13 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Seesaw bass
Low, higher, low, higher on every beat: a steady seesaw. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 481 songs of the library.
Seesaw bassRoot–fifth bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Bossa chordsSyncopated chords · Bossa novaRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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: C – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm

What chords are in Let Her Go?

The loop is Em – C – G – D (i – VI – III – VII) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.

What key is Let Her Go in?

E minor, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Let Her Go?

Seesaw bass: root–fifth 1-5-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Let Her Go 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.

Can I hear the real melody of Let Her Go?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the repeating figure of the song from a score, with both hands.