Sweet Temptation Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Sweet Temptation in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – G – C – Em
Sweet Temptation sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiGIIICVIEmi
- EmE · G · B
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
13 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Late-hop footsteps
Steady low-high steps with one quick extra hop after beat 3. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 659 songs of the library.
Late-hop footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Eager chords
Jumps in early before beat 3, like the chords can’t wait. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Eager chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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 – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Sweet Temptation?

The loop is Em – G – C – Em (i – bIII – bVI – i) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.

What key is Sweet Temptation in?

E minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Sweet Temptation?

Late-hop footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Sweet Temptation 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.