Nothing Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Nothing in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Bb7 – C – Fm7 – Bb – Fm7
Nothing sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; C is C, E and G; Fm7 is F, Ab, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bb7V7CVIFm7ii7BbVFm7ii7
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- CC · E · G
- Fm7F · Ab · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
169 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb

What chords are in Nothing?

The loop is Bb7 – C – Fm7 – Bb – Fm7 (V7 – VI – ii7 – V – ii7) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.

What key is Nothing in?

Eb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Nothing?

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 Nothing easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Nothing?

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