Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Outstretched Hands on piano
Written by Tim Neufeld & Jon Neufeld
- A minor
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 2004
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Outstretched Hands in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – G – D7 – Am
How it goes
Outstretched Hands sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiGVIID7IV7Ami- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Velvet jazz
How it goes
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3) (left-hand chords), 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 90 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: F – G – Am
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm- FF · A · C
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Questions about Outstretched Hands
What chords are in Outstretched Hands?
The loop is Am – G – D7 – Am (i – bVII5 – IV7 – i) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.
What key is Outstretched Hands in?
A minor, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Outstretched Hands?
Velvet jazz: lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Outstretched Hands 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.