Open Arms Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Open Arms in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – D – Bm7 – A
Open Arms sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Bm7 is B, D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIDIBm7vi7AV
- DD · F# · A
- Bm7B · D · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
17 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz climb
Three notes up the chord, one per beat: a gentle waltz climb. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 248 songs of the library.
Waltz climbBroken chord · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz chordsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 155 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Open Arms?

The loop is D – D – Bm7 – A (I – vi7 – V – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is Open Arms in?

D major, at about 155 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Open Arms?

Waltz climb: broken chord 1-3-5 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Open 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.

Can I hear the real melody of Open Arms?

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