How to Play Heart and Soul on the Piano

A step-by-step guide on how to play Heart and Soul on the piano.

Introduction

Heart and Soul is a popular song composed by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser. The song was first performed by Carmichael and his band in 1938. The song became a hit in 1939, when it was recorded by Larry Clinton and his Orchestra. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Nat King Cole, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Lennon Sisters.

The song is played in the key of C major. The melody is simple and easy to play, making it a great song for beginners. The left hand plays chords in root position (C, F, G7). The right hand plays the melody using mostly single notes, with a few double notes (octaves) thrown in.

Here’s how to play Heart and Soul on the piano:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by sitting at the piano with both hands placed on the keys. The first note you will play is C, which is located two octaves below middle C. After playing C, press down on E with your right pinky finger. E is located one octave below middle C. Next, hold down G with your right thumb. G is located two octaves below middle C. Lastly, hold down the C an octave above middle C with your left pinky finger.

Finding Middle C

The first thing you need to do to play “Heart and Soul” is find Middle C. Do this by looking for the group of two black keys in the center of the piano. The white key to the left of this group is Middle C.

Playing the Melody

Playing the melody of “Heart and Soul” is a great way to impress your friends and loved ones with your piano skills. The melody is simple, but memorable, and everyone will be humming along by the end. Follow these step-by-step instructions to play the melody of “Heart and Soul” on the piano:

1. Sit down at the piano and position your hands in middle C position. Middle C position is when your left thumb is on middle C, your left index finger is on D, your left middle finger is on E, and so on.

2. Play the notes in the following order: C, E, F, G, E, C.

3. Repeat this melody as many times as you like. You can also add embellishments to the melody, such as trills or runs. Be creative and have fun!

Adding the Harmony

Now that you know the melody, it’s time to add the harmony. Depending on your level of piano playing, you may want to improvise your own chords or use a lead sheet. If you’re unsure of how to find chords or what chords would sound good, use a lead sheet. A lead sheet is a simplified version of a song that includes the melody and the chords.

To find a lead sheet, do a search for “Heart and Soul lead sheet.” When you find one you like, print it out or open it on your computer so you can follow along.

As you look at the lead sheet, you’ll notice that there are only three chords used throughout the entire song: C, F, and G7.

First, let’s play these chords together to get a feel for how they sound. Find middle C with your right thumb and place your middle finger on E (the next white key to the right of C). Then find F with your left thumb and place your left middle finger on G (the next white key to the right of F). Last, put your right pinky on B (the next white key to the right of G), then reach over with your left pinky and place it on C (one octave higher than middle C). Now you’re ready to play all three chords together.
“`
C: x32010
F: 133211
G7: 320001
“`

Start by playing C for two counts, then switch to F for two counts, then finish with G7 for two counts. That’s one measure. Continue playing this pattern until you get to the end of the first page of the lead sheet.
Heart and Soul is written in 3/4 time, which means there are three beats in each measure and each quarter note equals one beat. The top number in a time signature tells how many beats are in each measure while the bottom number tells what kind of note gets one beat. In this case, we’re using quarter notes because they are at the bottom of the fraction (4/4). So in each measure of Heart and Soul , we’ll count “1-2-3” while we play each chord for two counts (two beats).

Conclusion

Now that you know the basic melody and chords for Heart and Soul, you can start to play the song on your own or with friends. Remember to practice often so that you can keep the tune in your head and play it smoothly. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be playing Heart and Soul like a pro in no time!