Unchanging Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Unchanging in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Fm – Ab – Db – Fm
Unchanging sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Fm is F, Ab and C; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Db is Db, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FmviAbIDbIVFmvi
- FmF · Ab · C
- AbAb · C · Eb
- DbDb · F · Ab
25 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
Rock hopRoot bass rhythm · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Sprint-and-stop chords
Four quick chords in the first half, then a calm, empty second half. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sprint-and-stop chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 104 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
- EbEb · G · Bb

What chords are in Unchanging?

The loop is Fm – Ab – Db – Fm (vi – I – IV – vi) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.

What key is Unchanging in?

Ab major, at about 104 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Unchanging?

Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Unchanging 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.