Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Praying For Time on piano
Written by George Michael
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 68 BPM
- 1989
- Easy
Learn Praying For Time in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Bb7 – Ebm – Ab
Praying For Time sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; Ab is Ab, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIBb7I7EbmivAbbVII- BbBb · D · F
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Push and land
A push just before beat 3, then two calm landings. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 68 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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
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Questions about Praying For Time
What chords are in Praying For Time?
The loop is Bb – Bb7 – Ebm – Ab (I – I7 – iv – bVII) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is Praying For Time in?
Bb major, at about 68 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Praying For Time?
Push and land: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Praying For Time 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.