Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Shiver on piano
By Jamie O'Neal
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 2000
- Easy
Learn Shiver in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Ab – Eb – Ab – Fm
Shiver sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIVEbIAbIVFmii- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
- 2
Left hand: Skipping-stone pulse
One strong note, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 282 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 90 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb- BbBb · D · F
Play next
Questions about Shiver
What chords are in Shiver?
The loop is Ab – Eb – Ab – Fm (IV – I – IV – ii) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.
What key is Shiver in?
Eb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Shiver?
Skipping-stone pulse: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Shiver 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.