How To Play “7 Years” by Lukas Graham [Piano Tutorial + Chord Chart]

Summary

In this tutorial, Nate from Echo City Music Lab demonstrates how to cover 'Seven Years' by Lukas Graham. He walks viewers through the song’s chord progressions, rhythm patterns, and techniques, breaking down each part of the song with clarity and helpful tips. Nate provides an easy-to-follow guide, using both hands for piano and explaining the role of each chord. He also discusses variations in the energy and arrangement throughout the song, ensuring that learners can replicate the performance or make it their own. The video is aimed at helping players of various skill levels perform this emotional, iconic song.

Takeaways

• 😀 The song '7 Years' by Lukas Graham is a great choice for musicians, with powerful lyrics that resonate universally.
• 😀 The song uses a simple yet effective chord progression that stays consistent throughout most of the song: G minor, B flat major, E flat major, and F major.
• 😀 It's recommended to follow the chord chart linked in the description to track the changes and variations while playing.
• 😀 The rhythm is slow 4/4 time, with a unique progression involving counts for each chord (G minor for 2 counts, B flat for 2 counts, E flat for 3 counts, and F for 1 count).
• 😀 The intro melody requires a careful right-hand approach with specific finger placements and a smooth stepping down of notes.
• 😀 To play the left hand in sync with the melody, use the same fingerings for the chords but focus on the outer notes (fifths or sixths).
• 😀 The chord transitions, such as the passing chord F over A, add a smooth flow between the G minor and B flat major chords in the verse.
• 😀 For verses and choruses, the left hand plays the root notes while the right hand handles the full chords, helping create a full sound.
• 😀 As you move through the verses, you may add energy by changing octaves and adjusting the intensity of playing (softer or louder).
• 😀 In the latter part of the song, you'll encounter variations like the D sus4 and D major chords, which resolve in a powerful way to emphasize the emotional climax of the song.
• 😀 The tutorial concludes with a full cover of the song, showing how all the techniques come together in the final performance.

Q & A

What are the four main chords needed for most of the song?

The four main chords for the song are G minor, B flat major, E flat major, and F major.

How should the left hand play the chords during the main progression?

The left hand should play fifths, with the outside notes of the chord, leaving out the middle note. For example, for G minor, the left hand plays G and D, and for B flat major, the left hand plays B flat and F.

What is the rhythm pattern for the main chord progression?

The rhythm follows a slow 4/4 time, with two counts for G minor, two counts for B flat, three counts for E flat, and then a step up to F on the fourth count, repeating throughout the song.

What is the significance of the F major chord inversion (F over A)?

The F over A chord is used as a passing chord between G minor and B flat, where the F major chord is inverted, with A as the bass note. This creates a smoother transition between the two chords.

How does the intro melody differ from the rest of the song?

The intro melody is played with the right hand, with a specific pattern of stepping down notes and alternating between D and F. The left hand plays the chords. This section is instrumental, and once the singing starts, the left hand transitions to playing the chords more clearly.

What is the recommended method for beginners to play and sing at the same time?

If playing and singing at the same time is too challenging, it's suggested to play the right hand melody with the left hand playing the chords in a simplified manner, focusing on the chord shapes rather than the melody.

How does the song's energy level change throughout the verses and choruses?

The song's energy level increases with the progression of the verses. For example, the first few verses start quietly, but by verse 5, the energy ramps up, with the use of higher octaves and more power in the left hand. In contrast, during some choruses, the energy is pulled back for a more relaxed feel.

What is the significance of the E flat major 7 chord in the chorus?

The E flat major 7 chord adds a rich, emotional layer to the chorus. It’s an optional addition, but it gives a more complex and resonant sound by adding the D note to the standard E flat chord, creating a more nuanced mood.

How does the use of B flat over D affect the song's overall sound?

The B flat over D chord is used in verse 5 to create a sense of tension and resolve. This chord is an inversion of the B flat chord, with D as the bass note. It helps add variety to the harmonic structure of the song and leads into the emotional climax of the song's later verses.

What is the role of the Dsus4 and D major chords in the final part of the song?

The Dsus4 chord creates a suspended, unresolved feeling, and when it resolves to the D major chord, it provides a sense of closure and finality. This transition emphasizes the emotional shift as the song reflects on growing older.