Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Paper Angels on piano
Written by Jimmy Wayne & Don Sampson
- A major
- 2/2
- 110 BPM
- I–V–vi–IV loop
- 2003
- Easy
Learn Paper Angels in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – E – F#m – D
Paper Angels sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIEVF#mviDIV- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Heartbeat chords
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA
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Questions about Paper Angels
What chords are in Paper Angels?
The loop is A – E – F#m – D (I – V – vi – IV) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.
What key is Paper Angels in?
A major, at about 110 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Paper Angels?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Paper Angels 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.