Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Tell Him on piano
Written by Bert Russell
- F major
- 4/4
- 86 BPM
- V7–I–IV–I loop
- 1962
- Easy
Learn Tell Him in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – F – Bb – F
Tell Him sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7FIBbIVFI- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Upside-down pulse
Every note lands between the beats, so it bounces like reggae. Musicians call it root bass · offbeats (&s) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 176 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 86 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- CC · E · G
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Questions about Tell Him
What chords are in Tell Him?
The loop is C7 – F – Bb – F (V7 – I – IV – I) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Tell Him in?
F major, at about 86 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Tell Him?
Upside-down pulse: root bass · offbeats (&s), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Tell Him 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.