Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play St. Elmo’s Fire on piano
Written by David Foster
- A major
- 4/4
- 114 BPM
- 1985
- Easy
Learn St. Elmo’s Fire in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – A – Dsus4 – Esus4
St. Elmo’s Fire sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; A is A, C# and E; Dsus4 is D, G and A; Esus4 is E, A and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EVAIDsus4IVsus4Esus4Vsus4- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
- Dsus4D · G · A
- Esus4E · A · B
- 2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 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 114 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: Esus4 – E – A
The last chords are Vsus – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
Esus4EA
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Questions about St. Elmo’s Fire
What chords are in St. Elmo’s Fire?
The loop is E – A – Dsus4 – Esus4 (V – I – IVsus – Vsus) in A major, and the song ends on Esus4 – E – A.
What key is St. Elmo’s Fire in?
A major, at about 114 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in St. Elmo’s Fire?
Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is St. Elmo’s Fire 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.