String Along Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn String Along in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: C – Am – F – G
String Along sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviFIVGV
- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
95 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
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 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: C – Dm – C
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDmC
- DmD · F · A

What chords are in String Along?

The loop is C – Am – F – G (I – vi – IV – V) in C major, and the song ends on C – Dm – C.

What key is String Along in?

C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in String Along?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is String Along 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.