Words Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Words in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Am – F – G – Em
Words sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiFVIGVIIEmv
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
39 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Pony-trot pulse
Quick trotting notes, then a jump over beat 3 to its “and”. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 114 songs of the library.
Pony-trot pulseRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handMedium
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 80 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: F – G – Am
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm

What chords are in Words?

The loop is Am – F – G – Em (i – VI – VII – v) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.

What key is Words in?

A minor, at about 80 beats a minute in 6/8.

What does the left hand play in Words?

Pony-trot pulse: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Words easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.

Can I hear the real melody of Words?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.