Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play The Wall on piano
By Kansas
- E major
- 4/4
- 88 BPM
- Easy
Learn The Wall in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D – E – F#m
The Wall sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A; E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CbVIDbVIIEIF#mii- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (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 88 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#
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Questions about The Wall
What chords are in The Wall?
The loop is C – D – E – F#m (bVI – bVII – I – ii) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is The Wall in?
E major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Wall?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Wall 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.