What key is "Hammer To Fall" in?

"Hammer To Fall" by Queen is in the key of A with a tempo of 128 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Hammer To Fall" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Hammer To Fall" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Hammer To Fall"?

This arrangement of "Hammer To Fall" uses 5 chords: A, D, E, F#m, G.

How long does it take to learn "Hammer To Fall" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Queen can I play here?

Try "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY", "BICYCLE RACE", "SOMEBODY TO LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Here we (D)stand (A)and here we (D)fall,

his (D)to ry don’t (E)care at (A)all.

Make the (D)bed,

light the (D)light.

Yeah!

Oh, La (D)dy Mer cy won’t (E)be home to (A)night.

You don’t (E)waste no (D)time (A)at all.

Don’t (D)hear that (A)bell but you an swer the call.

Comes to (E)you as (D)to (A)us all.

Yeah!

And it’s time for the ham mer to fall.

Ev ’ry night (A)and ev ’ry day,

a lit (D)tle piece of you (E)is fall ing a (A)way.

But lift your (D)face

the west (D)ern way,

build (D)your mus cles as (E)your bod y de (A)cays.

Toe your (E)line and (D)play their (A)game.

(D)Let the (A)an aes thet ic cov er it all.

Till one (E)day they (D)call (A)your name.

You know it’s time for the ham mer to fall.

(E)Rich or poor or (F#m)fa mous for your (E)truth, it’s all the (A)same.

(D)Oh (A)no,

(G)oh (D)no.

Lock your door, but (F#m)rain is pour ing (E)through your win dow (A)pane.

Oh no.

(E)Ba by, now your strug gle’s all in (E)vain.

For (A)we who (D)grew up tall and (D)proud,

in (D)the shad ow of the (E)mush room (A)cloud.

Con vinced our (D)voic es can’t be (D)heard,

we (D)just want to scream it (E)loud er and (A)loud er and lou der.

What the (E)hell we (D)fight (A)ing for?

(D)Just sur (A)ren der and it won’t hurt at all.

Just got (E)time to (D)say (A)your prayers.

Then it’s time for the ham mer to, ham mer to fall.

Hammer To Fall by Queen

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of A at 128 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with driving rock rhythms in the key of A.

Your left hand holds down a pedal bass pattern, meaning you'll anchor on the root note while your right hand moves through five chords — A, D, E, F♯m, and G.

That pedal bass keeps things steady, but the real challenge is nailing the right-hand chord transitions at 128 BPM, especially the jump to F♯m and the borrowed G chord, which can catch you off guard since it lives outside the key.

Start hands-separate and slow it down to around 90 BPM, focusing on locking the F♯m shape into muscle memory before you speed up.

Once both hands feel solid, loop the verse section until the pedal bass feels automatic and your right hand can punch those chord changes with a dramatic, confident attack.

This is the song that'll make syncopated rock comping feel natural under your fingers.

About “Hammer To Fall”

What key is "Hammer To Fall" in?: "Hammer To Fall" by Queen is in the key of A with a tempo of 128 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Hammer To Fall" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Hammer To Fall" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Hammer To Fall"?: This arrangement of "Hammer To Fall" uses 5 chords: A, D, E, F#m, G.
How long does it take to learn "Hammer To Fall" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Queen can I play here?: Try "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY", "BICYCLE RACE", "SOMEBODY TO LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.