Nathaniel School of Music

How to Play Someone Like You by Adele on Piano: Intro and Verse

The piano intro of Adele's Someone Like You is in A major and uses four chords (A, C#m/G#, F#5 and D in second inversion), each played for two bars as a low-middle-high-middle eighth-note arpeggio in the right hand over a held fifth in the left hand, with the sustain pedal down.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 16 min

Can't see the video? Watch it on YouTube.

Key points

This lesson breaks down the famous piano intro of Adele's Someone Like You, the part that also carries the whole verse. It suits beginners who know a few triads, as well as anyone who wants the exact voicings rather than plain block chords. Jason Zac points out that the arpeggio itself is simple. The magic is in the careful choice of notes, including chords that are only fifths, not full triads.

The key: A major

The song is in A major, which has three sharps: A B C# D E F# G# A. The basic triads of the key are A major, B minor, C# minor, D major, E major, F# minor and G# diminished. The intro and verse use chords from this family.

The four-chord progression

  1. A major
  2. C#m/G#: C# minor with G# in the bass
  3. F#5: just F# and C#. If you only play block chords, F# minor (the vi chord) works too. Avoid F# major, which would act as a secondary dominant and pull away from the key.
  4. D major, played in second inversion

Start by playing these as block chords, four times each, and sing the tune along with them.

The voicings, chord by chord

Chord 1: A major

Left hand: A and E, an open A fifth. Right hand: A, C#, E. For fingering, use thumb, index and middle, or thumb, middle and little finger. Both work.

Chord 2: C#m/G#

Left hand: G# with E above it. Right hand: G#, C#, E. Curve your thumb slightly so your hand does not slide sideways and get cramped.

Chord 3: F#5

Left hand: F# and C#. Right hand: F#, C#, F#. It is the easiest chord of the four.

Chord 4: D major (second inversion)

Move the left hand down and play D and A, a D fifth. The right hand plays A, D, F#, so it starts on A. That is the second inversion of D major.

The arpeggio pattern: L M H M

For every chord, the right hand plays Low, Middle, High, Middle as steady eighth notes. Count it as 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. One pattern takes two beats, so you play it four times across two bars. Each chord lasts two bars.

Meanwhile the left hand holds its fifth for the full two bars, like a semibreve tied to another semibreve. Do not lift it. The pattern never changes. Only the chord notes and their voicing do.

Pedal and dynamics

Hold the sustain pedal right through each chord. It makes the piano ring with extra overtones. Lift the pedal and press it again as you change to the next chord.

Shape every two-bar chord with dynamics. Grow louder towards the middle and soften again, like walking smoothly up and down a hill. Breathing with the music helps you control this.

Verse ending variations

The same pattern runs through the whole verse. The fourth chord changes slightly for variety:

How to practise

  1. Play the four chords as blocks, four times each, while singing.
  2. Learn the L M H M pattern slowly on A major. Then add each chord in turn.
  3. Toggle between pairs of chords, such as A to C#m/G#, until the changes feel smooth.
  4. Add the held left-hand fifths and the pedal.
  5. Finally, shape each chord with dynamics and sing along as you play.

Questions about this lesson

What key is Someone Like You in on piano?

It is in A major, which has three sharps: F#, C# and G#. The intro and verse use chords from that key.

What are the chords for the Someone Like You intro?

The chords are A major, C# minor with G# in the bass, F#5 (F# and C#), and D major in second inversion. Each chord lasts two bars.

What is the right-hand pattern in Someone Like You?

It is a running arpeggio of low note, middle note, high note, middle note, played as steady eighth notes. You play it four times on each chord, while the left hand holds a fifth.

Can I play F# minor instead of F#5?

Yes. If you are playing block chords, F# minor works because it is the vi chord of A major. Avoid F# major, which would sound like a secondary dominant.

Practise it

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