Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder on piano
By Alan Jackson
- E major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- I–I7–IV–I loop
- 2013
- Easy
Learn When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – E7 – A – E
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; E7 is E, G#, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIE7I7AIVEI- EE · G# · B
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (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 120 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: E – A – E
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EAE
Play next
Questions about When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
What chords are in When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder?
The loop is E – E7 – A – E (I – I7 – IV – I) in E major, and the song ends on E – A – E.
What key is When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder in?
E major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder 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.