Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Writing's On The Wall on piano
By Sam Smith
- F minor
- 4/4
- 64 BPM
- 2015
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Writing's On The Wall in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Fm – Eb – Db – Eb – Fm – Eb – Db – Cm
How it goes
Writing's On The Wall sits in F minor: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Fm is F, Ab and C; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Db is Db, F and Ab; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FmiEbVIIDbVIEbVIIFmiEbVIIDbVICmv- FmF · Ab · C
- EbEb · G · Bb
- DbDb · F · Ab
- CmC · Eb · G
- 2
Left hand: Shimmering waves
How it goes
A low root, then two notes rocking fast like light on water. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5 (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 58 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 64 BPM
How it goes
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 – Fm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbFm
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Questions about Writing's On The Wall
What chords are in Writing's On The Wall?
The loop is Fm – Eb – Db – Eb – Fm – Eb – Db – Cm (i – VII – VI – VII – i – VII – VI – v) in F minor, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Fm.
What key is Writing's On The Wall in?
F minor, at about 64 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Writing's On The Wall?
Shimmering waves: open arpeggio 1-5, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Writing's On The Wall easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 8 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Can I hear the real melody of Writing's On The Wall?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.