Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Way on piano
Written by Pat Barrett, Daniel Bashta & others
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 82 BPM
- Easy
Learn The Way in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 – C – Fm7 – Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 – C – Fm7
The Way sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 10 chords: Bbm7 is Bb, Db, F and Ab; Eb7 is Eb, G, Bb and Db; Abmaj7 is Ab, C, Eb and G; C is C, E and G; Fm7 is F, Ab, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Bbm7ii7Eb7V7Abmaj7Imaj7CIIIFm7vi7Bbm7ii7Eb7V7Abmaj7Imaj7CIIIFm7vi7- Bbm7Bb · Db · F · Ab
- Eb7Eb · G · Bb · Db
- Abmaj7Ab · C · Eb · G
- CC · E · G
- Fm7F · Ab · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Rush-and-step pulse
Three quick notes tumble out, a pause, then one high step on beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 157 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 82 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: Db – Eb – Ab
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbAb- DbDb · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- AbAb · C · Eb
Play next
Questions about The Way
What chords are in The Way?
The loop is Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 – C – Fm7 – Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 – C – Fm7 (ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – III – vi7 – ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – III – vi7) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.
What key is The Way in?
Ab major, at about 82 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Way?
Rush-and-step pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Way easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 10 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of The Way?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the bass riff 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.