Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Religion on piano
Written by Elizabeth Grant & Rick Nowels
- C major
- 4/4
- 68 BPM
- 2015
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Religion in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – G – E – Am
How it goes
Religion sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; G is G, B and D; E is E, G# and B; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiGVEIIIAmvi- DmD · F · A
- GG · B · D
- EE · G# · B
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Eager heartbeat
How it goes
Jumps in early on the “and” before beat 3, like it can’t wait. Musicians call it root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 403 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 68 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 – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
Play next
Questions about Religion
What chords are in Religion?
The loop is Dm – G – E – Am (ii – V – III – vi) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Religion in?
C major, at about 68 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Religion?
Eager heartbeat: root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Religion 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.