Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play This Woman’s Work on piano
Written by Kate Bush
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 68 BPM
- 1988
- Easy
Learn This Woman’s Work in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Db – Eb – Ab – Bbm
This Woman’s Work sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Db is Db, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Bbm is Bb, Db and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DbIVEbVAbIBbmii- DbDb · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbmBb · Db · F
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
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: 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 68 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
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Questions about This Woman’s Work
What chords are in This Woman’s Work?
The loop is Db – Eb – Ab – Bbm (IV – V – I – ii) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.
What key is This Woman’s Work in?
Ab major, at about 68 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in This Woman’s Work?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is This Woman’s Work 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.