How to play 'Someone Like You' on piano

See how the right and left hands move together. Focus on the flow rather than individual notes. You’ll recognise that steady rolling rhythm straight away.

The intro is made from four repeating patterns — one for each chord. Each pattern follows the same rhythm: 1–3–5–3 and you play each 4 times. Once you’ve got them under your fingers, you’ll have the core of the song.

Pattern 1: A major

• Notes: A – C# – E – C#

• Fingering: 1 (thumb) – 3 (middle) – 5 (pinky) – 3 (middle)

• Sequence: 1–3–5–3

This is the starting shape — warm and open. Keep the movement small and relaxed.

Pattern 2: Move your thumb down

• Notes: G# – B – E – B

• Fingering: 1 (thumb) – 3 (middle) – 5 (pinky) – 3 (middle)

• Sequence: 1–3–5–3

Shifting your hand slightly, move just your thumb down to G#.

Pattern 3: Thumb down, pinky up

• Notes: F# – A – C# – A

• Fingering: 1 (thumb) – 3 (middle) – 5 (pinky) – 3 (middle)

• Sequence: 1–3–5–3

To get to this shape, keep your middle finger where it is and move your thumb down one black note and little finger up to the next black note.

Pattern 4: D major

• Notes: D – F# – A – F#

• Fingering: 1 (thumb) – 3 (middle) – 5 (pinky) – 3 (middle)

• Sequence: 1–3–5–3

This closes the loop. This time, you keep your little finger where it is and move your thumb and middle finger up.

After this, go straight back to Pattern 1 and keep the cycle going

That’s the full right-hand loop of Someone Like You. Keep your wrist relaxed and your notes even. This isn’t about speed — it’s about keeping that calm, steady pulse that sits perfectly under Adele’s voice..

Practice it a few times until it clicks. For even better precision, try playing it in time to our free metronome.

💡ARTMASTER TIP: In Artie, use Wait Mode to make sure every note lands cleanly. Loop the pattern until it feels effortless.

The left hand is simple — it just follows the bass movement of each chord. You’ll play one note per pattern, lining up each note with the first note of the right hand (A–C#–E–C#).

Bass notes:
A → G# → F# → D

Each note lasts for one full four-note pattern in the right hand. Once you’ve played D, loop back to A and start again.

🎹 Tip: Play lightly and let the sustain pedal connect the notes. You want smooth, legato movement, not a heavy thump.

When you’re comfortable, try octaves — pinky on the lower note, thumb on the upper. It fills out the sound and makes it feel more like the original track.

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Once you’ve mastered the main progression:

• Try adding dynamics - play softer in the verse, stronger in the chorus.

• Experiment with pedalling to blend the notes more smoothly.

• Try transposing the pattern up an octave for variation.

Want to keep learning? Check out some more of our guides:

• How to play 'Clocks' by Coldplay

• Chord progressions explained: a beginner’s guide for piano and guitar

• 40 iconic piano intros

• 100 easy songs you can play with just 4 chords

• 10 advanced piano tips to transform your playing

Can beginners play Someone Like You on piano?
Yes — the intro is built from simple repeating shapes and slow, steady rhythm. Once you get the four patterns down, you’ll be able to play most of the song.

Do I need to read sheet music to learn Someone Like You?
No. You can learn it visually using falling notes or by memorising the four hand shapes. It’s one of the easiest famous piano intros to play without notation.

What are the chords in Someone Like You?
The main progression is A – E/G# – F#m – D. These repeat throughout the verses and chorus, creating that familiar rolling feel.

How can I make it sound more like the record?
Use the sustain pedal to blend the notes smoothly, play softly at first, and build dynamics as you loop through the pattern. Adding octaves in the bass also helps fill out the sound.

Can I learn Someone Like You in Artie?
Yes — you can follow the same patterns visually with Artie, our AI piano teacher. It shows the falling notes in real time, gives feedback on timing, and includes 30 free songs to start with.