Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Sacrifice on piano
By Elton John
- C major
- 4/4
- 64 BPM
- 1989
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Sacrifice in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bm – E7 – Am – F
How it goes
Sacrifice sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; E7 is E, G#, B and D; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BmviiE7III7AmviFIV- BmB · D · F#
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Giant steps
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking. Musicians call it lh chords (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 64 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- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Sacrifice
What chords are in Sacrifice?
The loop is Bm – E7 – Am – F (vii – III7 – vi – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Sacrifice in?
C major, at about 64 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Sacrifice?
Giant steps: lh chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sacrifice 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.