Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Lord Have Mercy on piano
By Robin Mark
- F major
- 4/4
- 64 BPM
- 2000
- Easy
Learn Lord Have Mercy in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm – C7 – Fsus4 – F
Lord Have Mercy sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Fsus4 is F, Bb and C; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiiC7V7Fsus4Isus4FI- GmG · Bb · D
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- Fsus4F · Bb · C
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 64 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Lord Have Mercy
What chords are in Lord Have Mercy?
The loop is Gm – C7 – Fsus4 – F (ii – V7 – Isus – I) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Lord Have Mercy in?
F major, at about 64 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Lord Have Mercy?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Lord Have Mercy 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.