Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Loving Arms on piano
Written by Tom Jans
- A major
- 2/2
- 140 BPM
- IV–V–I–IV loop
- 1972
- Easy
Learn Loving Arms in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – E – A – D
Loving Arms sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; E is E, G# and B; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIVEVAIDIV- DD · F# · A
- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 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: A – D – A
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ADA
Play next
Questions about Loving Arms
What chords are in Loving Arms?
The loop is D – E – A – D (IV – V – I – IV) in A major, and the song ends on A – D – A.
What key is Loving Arms in?
A major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Loving Arms?
Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Loving Arms 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.