Amazing Grace Omnichord Chords

Traditional · 1779

Amazing Grace is a traditional song, dated in our chart to 1779, and it moves in a slow three-beat sway that the omnichord's Waltz rhythm matches perfectly. Each chord can ring for a whole bar, so the instrument's long, bell-like strums have room to bloom and overlap.

Here it is played in G, its original key, so nothing is transposed. The harmony is plain and hymn-like, but it has a couple of lovely colour changes: a seventh chord that leans toward the next bar, and a turn to E minor in the middle. On the omnichord those moments sound especially rich, which makes this a rewarding first song for anyone who likes quiet, reflective music.

▶ Play on the omnichord

Played in G (original key) · Waltz rhythm · 90 BPM · Easy

Omnichord buttons for Amazing Grace

6 chord buttons cover the whole song. The highlighted square shows where each one sits on the 27-button grid.

  • G T

  • G7 B

  • C R

  • Em K

  • D Y

  • D7 N

Bar-by-bar chart

Each box is one bar of 3 beats. Two chords in a box split the bar (2 beats + 1 beat).

Verse

  1. G
  2. G7
  3. C
  4. G
  5. G
  6. Em
  7. D
  8. D7
  9. G
  10. G7
  11. C
  12. G
  13. G
  14. D
  15. G
  16. G

Chord changes, step by step

The order you press the buttons in, with the computer key for each one, and every new hand move the first time it appears.

Verse

G TG7 BC RG TEm KD YD7 NG TG7 BC RG TD YG T

  • G to G7: straight down to the 7th row
  • G7 to C: up to the Major row, one column left
  • C to G: one column right
  • G to Em: down to the Minor row, three columns right
  • Em to D: up to the Major row, two columns left
  • D to D7: straight down to the 7th row
  • D7 to G: up to the Major row, one column left
  • G to D: one column right
  • D to G: one column left

Key and simplifications

Amazing Grace stays in its original key of G: every chord it needs has a button on the instrument.

No chord had to be simplified.

Tips for playing Amazing Grace on the omnichord

Six chords, mostly in two columns

You need G, G7, C, E minor, D and D7. G is the T key on the Major row and G7 sits two rows directly below it on B, in the 7th row. D is the Y key, one step right of G, and D7 is right under it on N. C is the R key, one step left of G. E minor is on the Minor row under the E column, the K key.

The sixteen bars run G, G7, C, G, G, E minor, D, D7, then G, G7, C, G, G, D, G, G. Notice the pairs: every time a major chord turns into its seventh, your finger simply drops straight down the same column.

Waltz feel and sound settings

The chart suggests the Waltz rhythm at 90 BPM, with three beats in every bar. Keep the chord style on Hold so each chord sustains across the whole bar, and set Sustain between two and three seconds for that church-like ring. A single slow sweep up the strum plate on beat one, or a soft Space strum, is all each bar needs.

If you would rather not hold buttons down, turn Memory on and tap each chord once at the start of its bar. Lowering the Beat fader a little lets the harp shimmer sit on top of the drums.

Where to slow down

The middle of the first half is the part to practise: G, then E minor on K, then D on Y and D7 on N. Going from T to K means moving down a row and three columns right, then back up to Y. Play just those four bars on a loop at around 70 BPM until the move feels natural.

Then load the song in the practice bar. Follow mode waits for the right chord, and Play-along keeps strict Waltz time with a one-bar count-in.

Amazing Grace on the omnichord: questions

What key is Amazing Grace played in on the omnichord?

It is played in G, the original key of the chart, so no transposing is involved. G, C and D sit on the Major row keys T, R and Y, E minor is on K in the Minor row, and the seventh chords G7 and D7 are on B and N in the 7th row.

Which rhythm should I use for Amazing Grace?

Use the Waltz rhythm. The song moves in three beats per bar, and the chart suggests 90 BPM. That tempo keeps it flowing without rushing. For a slower, more solemn version, bring the Tempo slider down toward 70 and lengthen the Sustain so chords overlap.

Is Amazing Grace a good song for beginners?

Yes. Most bars hold a single chord for three full beats, so there is plenty of time between changes. The seventh chords are easy because they sit straight below their major chords. The only real stretch is the move from G to E minor and on to D.

Can I play Amazing Grace with a MIDI keyboard?

Yes, in browsers with Web MIDI such as Chrome and Edge. Set the MIDI button to Chords mode: G, C and D come from the C3 octave, E minor from the C4 octave, and G7 and D7 from the C5 octave. Strum the plate with the mouse, a touch screen or the number keys.

How many buttons does Amazing Grace need on the omnichord?

6: G (T), G7 (B), C (R), Em (K), D (Y), D7 (N). G carries the song, sounding for about 50% of all beats, and there are 12 chord changes from start to finish.

How long does it take to play Amazing Grace through once?

The chart here is 16 bars of 3 beats. At the suggested 90 BPM that is about 32 s, plus a one-bar count-in in Play-along mode. Slow the Tempo fader down while you learn the changes.