Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The One on piano
By Elton John
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 84 BPM
- 1991
- Easy
Learn The One in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – C – D – C
The One sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIIICIIDIIICII- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 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: 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 84 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: Cm – F – Bb
The last chords are ii – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CmFBb- CmC · Eb · G
- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about The One
What chords are in The One?
The loop is D – C – D – C (III – II – III – II) in Bb major, and the song ends on Cm – F – Bb.
What key is The One in?
Bb major, at about 84 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The One?
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 One 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.