Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Tears Of Hercules on piano
Written by Marc Jordan & Stephan Moccio
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 98 BPM
- I–V–IV–I loop
- 2012
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Tears Of Hercules in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Bb – Ab – Eb
How it goes
Tears Of Hercules sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Ab is Ab, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIBbVAbIVEbI- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- AbAb · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
How it goes
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 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 98 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: Fm – Bb7 – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FmBb7Eb- FmF · Ab · C
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
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Questions about Tears Of Hercules
What chords are in Tears Of Hercules?
The loop is Eb – Bb – Ab – Eb (I – V – IV – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Fm – Bb7 – Eb.
What key is Tears Of Hercules in?
Eb major, at about 98 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Tears Of Hercules?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Tears Of Hercules 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.