Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Bridge on piano
By Elton John
- D major
- 4/4
- 107 BPM
- Easy
Learn The Bridge in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – A – D – Em
The Bridge sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIAVDIEmii- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Push and land
A push just before beat 3, then two calm landings. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Knock-knock chords
Chord, a quick knock-knock, a pause, then one last chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 107 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: Em – A – D
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EmAD
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Questions about The Bridge
What chords are in The Bridge?
The loop is D – A – D – Em (I – V – I – ii) in D major, and the song ends on Em – A – D.
What key is The Bridge in?
D major, at about 107 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Bridge?
Push and land: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Bridge 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.