Other arrangements of One Step Closer
Pick a learning view.
break.
I can not take this an y (C#)more,
wish say ing ev ’ry thing I’ve said be (C#5)fore.
(C#5)All these words, (D#5)they (A5)make (G#5)no (C#5)sense: I find bliss (D#5)in (A5)ig (G#5)no (C#5)rance.
(C#5)Less I hear (D#5)the (A5)less (G#5)you’ll (C#5)say, you’ll find that (D#5)out (A5)an (G#5)y (C#5)way,
just like be fore.
Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step clos er to the edge and I’m a bout to break.
I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step clos er to the edge, I’m a bout to break.
I find the an swers aren’t so (C#)clear,
wish I could find a way to dis ap (C#5)pear.
(C#5)All these thoughts, (D#5)they (A5)make (G#5)no (C#5)sense: I find bliss (D#5)in (A5)ig (G#5)no (C#5)rance.
(C#5)Noth ing seems (D#5)to (A5)go (G#5)a (C#5)way o ver and (D#5)o (A5)ver (G#5)a (C#5)gain,
just like be fore.
Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step clos er to the edge and I’m a bout to break.
I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step clos er to the edge, I’m a bout to one step clos er to the edge, I’m a bout to break.
Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.
I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to
(C#5)break.
Shut up when I’m talk ing to you.
(D5)Shut (C#5)up,
(D5)shut (C#5)up,
(D5)shut (C#5)up.
(C#5)Shut up when I’m talk (E5)ing (D5)to (C#5)you.
(D5)Shut (C#5)up,
(D5)shut (C#5)up,
(D5)shut (C#5)up.
(C#5)Shut up when I’m talk (E5)ing (D5)to (C#5)you.
(D5)Shut (C#5)up.
(D5)I’m a bout to break.
Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.
I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.
Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.
I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step clos er to the edge, and I’m a bout to
(CN.C.)break.
One Step Closer — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners
8 people have learned this song
Learn "One Step Closer" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of E, 95 BPM.
This arrangement is a great workout for power chords — you've got a dozen of them across the key of E, and your right hand needs to lock into those tight two- or three-note shapes cleanly every time.
At 95 BPM the tempo is moderate, but the walking bass pattern in your left hand means both hands stay busy, so start hands-separate until each part feels automatic.
Pay special attention to the transitions between C#pow and D#pow — they sit a whole step apart and come up fast, so drill that move in a slow loop until your fingers find the distance without looking.
The Dsus2 and the natural C chord will feel unexpected against the E tonality; don't rush through them, because those moments carry the dramatic tension of the song.
Once you're comfortable, bring both hands together at around 70 BPM and gradually push toward full speed.
If the walking bass ever falls out of sync with your chord hand, drop the tempo — accuracy first, always.
This is the piece that'll solidify your power-chord vocabulary and teach your left hand to walk independently, skills you'll use in practically every rock arrangement from here on.
Try other practice modes:
About “One Step Closer”
- Can I play "One Step Closer" without reading sheet music?
- Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "One Step Closer" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
- What key is "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park played in?
- One Step Closer is arranged in the key of E on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "One Step Closer"?
- The arrangement plays at 95 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "One Step Closer" easy to play on piano?
- This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
- Can I download sheet music for "One Step Closer"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "One Step Closer"?
- "One Step Closer" was originally performed by Linkin Park. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "One Step Closer"?
- This arrangement uses 12 chords: Apow, Bpow, C, C#, C#pow, D#pow, Dpow, Dsus2, +4 more.
- What other songs by Linkin Park can I play here?
- Try "WAITING FOR THE END", "ONE MORE LIGHT", "LEAVE OUT ALL THE REST". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Can a complete beginner play "One Step Closer"?
- Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "One Step Closer" is simplified for beginners.
- Do I need to read music to play "One Step Closer"?
- No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "One Step Closer" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.
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