Someone Like You is one of the best piano songs a beginner can pick, because the entire piece runs on four chords played as a gentle repeating arpeggio. Learn that one pattern and you can play the intro, the verses, and the chorus — the whole song, more or less. Here’s how it works.
The four chords
The song sits in A major, and the main loop is:
- A major (A – C# – E)
- E/G# — an E major chord with G# in the bass (play G# in the left hand, E–G#–B on top)
- F# minor (F# – A – C#)
- D major (D – F# – A)
That E/G# is the only slightly tricky one — it’s a “slash chord,” meaning the bass note isn’t the root. It creates a smooth stepping-down bassline (A → G# → F#) that’s a big part of why the progression feels so satisfying. If slash chords are new, my guide to how chord progressions work explains why that descending bass pulls at you.
The arpeggio pattern
Instead of playing each chord as a block, you roll it out one note at a time — the famous rippling intro. A common beginner pattern for the right hand over the A chord is A – C# – E – C#, repeating, then you move the same shape to fit the next chord.
The left hand plays the bass note of each chord: A, then G#, then F#, then D. So your left hand walks down while your right hand keeps rippling. Practice the arpeggio pattern on its own first — if it feels awkward, spend time on arpeggio technique before layering the hands.
Putting it together
Work in this order:
- Play the four chords as solid blocks, hands together, just to hear the progression.
- Turn the right hand into the rolling arpeggio, keeping the left hand on single bass notes.
- Keep the ripple perfectly even — the beauty is in the steadiness, not speed.
Once it flows, you can play and sing over it. That’s the real purpose of this arrangement — it’s an accompaniment. If you want to sing along, the three patterns in how to accompany a singer on piano cover this exact situation, and it sits nicely alongside other piano ballads.
Making it feel like Adele
The notes are easy; the feeling is where it lives. Let phrases breathe, lean into the top of each swell and pull back at the ends, and don’t play it metronomically stiff — this is a song that rises and falls. That expressive shaping is a skill in itself, and how to play emotional piano digs into exactly how to get it.
Someone Like You is a textbook example of how far four chords and one pattern can take you. If you’d like to learn songs this way as a habit — chords first, then patterns over the top — a course like Pianoforall is built around that approach and gets you playing full songs from early on.
FAQ
Is Someone Like You good for beginners?
It’s one of the best. The whole song uses four chords played as a repeating arpeggio, so once you learn the pattern you can play the entire piece. The only slightly advanced part is the E/G# slash chord.
What are the chords to Someone Like You?
In A major: A, E/G#, F# minor, and D. That looping progression, with its descending bassline, carries the intro, verses, and chorus.
Can I play it and sing at the same time?
Yes, and that’s the ideal way to enjoy it. Get the arpeggio pattern automatic first so your hands run on autopilot, then add the vocal. Starting with the chords as blocks makes the transition to singing much easier.
Check the current price of Pianoforall here →
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.