Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play The Greatest Love Of All on piano
- A major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- 1977
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Greatest Love Of All in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D7 – A – Bm7 – D7 – A – Bm7
How it goes
The Greatest Love Of All sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: D7 is D, F#, A and C; A is A, C# and E; Bm7 is B, D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
D7IV7AIBm7ii7D7IV7AIBm7ii7- D7D · F# · A · C
- AA · C# · E
- Bm7B · D · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
How it goes
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 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 72 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: A – Bm – A
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABmA- BmB · D · F#
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Questions about The Greatest Love Of All
What chords are in The Greatest Love Of All?
The loop is D7 – A – Bm7 – D7 – A – Bm7 (IV7 – I – ii7 – IV7 – I – ii7) in A major, and the song ends on A – Bm – A.
What key is The Greatest Love Of All in?
A major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Greatest Love Of All?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Greatest Love Of All easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of The Greatest Love Of All?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the repeating figure of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.