Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play When You Love Someone on piano
By James TW
- G major
- 4/4
- 130 BPM
- Easy
Learn When You Love Someone in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em7 – D – G – G – Csus4 – Csus4
When You Love Someone sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: Em7 is E, G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D; Csus4 is C, F and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Em7vi7DVGIGICsus4IVsus4Csus4IVsus4- Em7E · G · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- Csus4C · F · G
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), 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 130 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
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Questions about When You Love Someone
What chords are in When You Love Someone?
The loop is Em7 – D – G – G – Csus4 – Csus4 (vi7 – V – I – IVsus4 – vi7 – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is When You Love Someone in?
G major, at about 130 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in When You Love Someone?
Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When You Love Someone easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of When You Love Someone?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune 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.