How to Play Tum Ho Toh on Piano (Rock On!!)
To play Tum Ho Toh on piano, start with a held C major arpeggio intro played four times, then play the verse chords or a guitar-style pattern, a pre-chorus built on G minor, F major and Bb with quick chord changes, a chorus with irregular changes, and a chant melody in octaves starting on G minor.
Key points
- The intro is a held C major arpeggio across three Cs, played four times and never repeated.
- The verse can be played as simple held chords or as a guitar-inspired arpeggio pattern, four counts per chord.
- The pre-chorus uses quick changes around G minor, F major and Bb, ending on C.
- The chorus has irregular changes, such as three beats on one chord and one beat on the next.
- The chant melody starts on G minor and sounds fuller in octaves with an added third.
What this lesson teaches
In this lesson Jason Zac adapts the Bollywood song Tum Ho Toh from the film Rock On!! for piano. The original recording is built around guitar rather than piano, so the piano part here is an arrangement. Part of it tries to capture the feel of the guitar strumming in a pianistic way, since the two instruments are played with completely different mechanics and one cannot truly copy the other.
The lesson suits beginners who know their basic major and minor chords and want a complete song to play. The good news is that the structure is simple: intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and a chanting section. After the first time through, you repeat everything except the intro once more, and the song is done.
The intro: a held C major arpeggio
The intro is an arpeggio pattern on C major that spreads across the keyboard and uses three different Cs. This wide range is something a guitar cannot easily do, which is why it sounds so full on piano. Hold the notes down as you play so that, by the end of the pattern, everything rings together as one big C major chord (C E G). Play the intro four times before the singing begins. It does not return later in the song.
The verse
The verse is very close to the intro in feel. It starts on C major, played twice, then moves to D minor. Along the way there is an ambient-sounding chord, and the G chord is played simply as a fifth (G and D) rather than a full triad. A minor also appears in the verse. Each verse chord lasts four counts.
You have two options here:
- Simple version: just hold the chords. This sounds harmonic and pleasant if the arpeggio pattern feels difficult.
- Guitar-inspired version: play the catchy strumming-style arpeggio pattern on each chord, as in the intro.
When the verse repeats, you can play it a little louder and with more energy.
The pre-chorus: quick changes
The pre-chorus uses a fairly standard way of playing chords, but with a quick change, which means fitting more than one chord into a group of four beats. The sequence is:
- G minor twice, F major twice
- Bb twice, G minor once, F major once, ending on C
In the second half there is an even quicker change: Bb twice, A minor once and F major once. A drum build-up on the toms then leads into the chorus.
The chorus: irregular changes
The chorus chords are easy, including G major, F major and A minor, but they change faster than in the verse. Some changes are uneven: one chord lasts three beats and the next lasts just one beat. This irregular movement is a big part of what makes the song interesting, so count carefully.
The chant section
The final section is a catchy chant sung on vowel sounds rather than words. It starts on G minor. You can back it with chords, or play the melody itself on the piano. When you play the melody, keep supporting it with the chords underneath.
To make the melody fuller, play it in octaves and add a third. For example, the third above C is E, and the third above E is G.
How to practise
- Learn each section on its own, slowly, calling out the chord names as you go.
- Start with held chords, then switch to the arpeggio pattern once the changes feel natural.
- Count the quick and irregular changes in the pre-chorus and chorus aloud.
- Keep the rhythm laid-back, simply striking each chord. You can experiment with rhythm, but stick to the same chords.
Questions about this lesson
What chord does the Tum Ho Toh intro use on piano?
The intro is an arpeggio on C major spread over three Cs. You hold the notes down so they build into a full C major chord, and you play it four times before the vocals start.
Can I play simple chords instead of the arpeggio pattern?
Yes. If the arpeggio pattern feels tough, simply holding the verse chords such as C major and D minor sounds nice and harmonic.
What is a quick change in the pre-chorus?
A quick change means playing more than one chord within four beats. In the pre-chorus you play G minor twice and F major twice, then Bb twice, G minor once and F major once before ending on C.
How do I play the chant melody on piano?
Play the melody in octaves while backing it with chords, starting on G minor. You can add a third to each melody note, such as E above C or G above E.
Practise it
- WoodshedKeep a practice record, set goals and work on songs with tools for looping, changing speed and changing key.
- Pop LessonsPractice companions for Jason Zac’s pop piano lessons: octave fillers, chord changes and inversions in every key.
- Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
- All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.
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