Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Tenderly on piano
Written by Emeli Sandé
- C major
- 4/4
- 102 BPM
- vi–IV–I–V loop
- 2016
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Tenderly in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – F – C – G
How it goes
Tenderly sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviFIVCIGV- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Chugging-train pulse
How it goes
Chugs along in quick even notes, then takes one tiny breath at the end. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 2& · 3 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 629 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 102 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about Tenderly
What chords are in Tenderly?
The loop is Am – F – C – G (vi – IV – I – V) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Tenderly in?
C major, at about 102 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Tenderly?
Chugging-train pulse: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 2& · 3 · 3& · 4, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Tenderly easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.