Introduction
“I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen is a beautiful blend of country and pop influences, characterized by its heartfelt lyrics and simple yet compelling melody.
Originally published in C Major, this song is accessible to both beginner and intermediate pianists, making it a great piece to add to your repertoire.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to play the piano arrangement, focusing on the core chord progression and providing tips to capture the essence of the song.
Sheet Music Overview
- Key: C Major (Can be transposed to any key)
- Genre: Country
- Arranged for: Piano, Vocal, and Guitar Chords
- Pages: 5
- Chord Progression: Fsus2, C, Am7, G
Step 1: Understanding the Chord Progression
- The song’s foundation lies in its chord progression, which repeats throughout most of the piece. Here’s a breakdown:
- Fsus2: F-G-C
- C Major: C-E-G
- Am7: A-C-E-G
- G Major: G-B-D
Start by familiarizing yourself with these chords. Practice moving between them smoothly, as this progression forms the backbone of the song.
Step 2: Right Hand – Playing the Melody
- In the sheet music, the melody is often played in the right hand. For those new to playing melody lines, begin by isolating the melody from the chords. This will allow you to focus on the nuances of the phrasing without the added complexity of the chordal accompaniment.
- Tip: The melody follows the vocal line closely, so listen to the original song to get a feel for the rhythm and dynamics.
Step 3: Left Hand – Adding the Bass Notes
- The left hand typically plays the root notes of the chords. For example:
- Fsus2: Play F in the bass.
- C Major: Play C in the bass.
- Am7: Play A in the bass.
- G Major: Play G in the bass.
For beginners, you can start by playing single bass notes. As you get more comfortable, try playing octaves or adding fifths for a fuller sound.
Step 4: Combining Hands
- Once you’re comfortable with both hands separately, it’s time to bring them together. Start slowly, playing each chord and melody note together. Focus on maintaining a steady tempo and ensure the melody stands out clearly over the accompaniment.
- Practice Tip: If you find a section challenging, break it down and practice just those few bars repeatedly before moving on.
Step 5: Adding Dynamics and Expression
- Country music is known for its emotional depth, and “I Had Some Help” is no exception. To capture the song’s essence, pay close attention to dynamics:
- Soft and gentle during the verses.
- Gradually build intensity towards the chorus.
- Expressive phrasing: Don’t be afraid to vary the tempo slightly to add emotional weight to certain phrases.
Step 6: Transposing the Song
- While the song is originally in C Major, you can transpose it to other keys if needed. This might be helpful if you want to match the vocal range of a singer or simply explore different tonal colors.
- Using a Digital Piano: Most digital pianos have a transpose function that can make this process easier without having to relearn the chords.
Conclusion
- Learning “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone on piano is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with a contemporary hit while honing your piano skills. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll be able to play this beautiful song with confidence and expression. Remember to take your time with each section, and most importantly, enjoy the process of making this song your own.
Additional Resources
