Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play On And On on piano
Written by Stephen Bishop
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1975
- Easy
Learn On And On in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Am7 – C – Am7 – C – Am7 – C – Am7
On And On sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C is C, E and G; Am7 is A, C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAm7vi7CIAm7vi7CIAm7vi7CIAm7vi7- CC · E · G
- Am7A · C · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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 – Am – C
The last chords are I – vi – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CAmC- AmA · C · E
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Questions about On And On
What chords are in On And On?
The loop is C – Am7 – C – Am7 – C – Am7 – C – Am7 (I – vi7 – I – vi7 – I – vi7 – I – vi7) in C major, and the song ends on C – Am – C.
What key is On And On in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in On And On?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is On And On easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of On And On?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.