Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Christians And The Pagans on piano
Written by Dar Williams
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 102 BPM
- ii–V–I–IV loop
- 1996
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Christians And The Pagans in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bbm – Eb – Ab – Db
How it goes
The Christians And The Pagans sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Db is Db, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbmiiEbVAbIDbIV- BbmBb · Db · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- DbDb · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Skip-and-stroll chords
How it goes
A skippy push at the start, then calm chords on 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: Bbm – Eb – Ab
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbmEbAb
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Questions about The Christians And The Pagans
What chords are in The Christians And The Pagans?
The loop is Bbm – Eb – Ab – Db (ii – V – I – IV) in Ab major, and the song ends on Bbm – Eb – Ab.
What key is The Christians And The Pagans in?
Ab major, at about 102 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Christians And The Pagans?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Christians And The Pagans 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.