Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Romans on piano
Written by Jennifer Knapp
- F major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1997
- Easy
Learn Romans in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Bb – Csus4 – Bb
Romans sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F; Csus4 is C, F and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIBbIVCsus4Vsus4BbIV- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- Csus4C · F · G
- 2
Left hand: Hiccup heartbeat
A tiny hiccup just before beat 3, then a push on the “and”. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 121 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Lingering chords
Two chords, then a late one after beat 3 that hangs in the air. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- CC · E · G
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Questions about Romans
What chords are in Romans?
The loop is F – Bb – Csus4 – Bb (I – IV – Vsus – IV) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Romans in?
F major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Romans?
Hiccup heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Romans 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.