Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play On The Radio on piano
By Donna Summer
- E minor
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- 1979
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn On The Radio in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – Bm – Em – Am
How it goes
On The Radio sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; Bm is B, D and F#; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmivBmvEmiAmiv- AmA · C · E
- BmB · D · F#
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 72 BPM
How it goes
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
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about On The Radio
What chords are in On The Radio?
The loop is Am – Bm – Em – Am (iv – v – i – iv) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.
What key is On The Radio in?
E minor, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in On The Radio?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is On The Radio 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.