Let It Be Omnichord Chords

The Beatles · 1970

Let It Be, released by The Beatles in 1970, is built on a progression that moves slowly and lands softly, and that patience translates beautifully to the omnichord. Each chord gets room to ring, so the strum plate has time to spill a few notes across the strings before the next change arrives. The result sounds less like a band and more like a music box playing a hymn.

It is also one of the friendliest songs on the site. Only four buttons are involved: three sit side by side in the Major row, and the fourth is in the Minor row under the A column. Once your fingers know that small shape, you can stop watching the panel and listen to how the harp and the rhythm machine fill the space around each chord.

▶ Play on the omnichord

Played in C (original key) · Rock rhythm · 72 BPM · Easy

Omnichord buttons for Let It Be

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

  • C R

  • G T

  • Am J

  • F E

Bar-by-bar chart

Each box is one bar of 4 beats. Two chords in a box split the bar in half.

Verse

  1. C · G
  2. Am · F
  3. C · G
  4. F · C
  5. C · G
  6. Am · F
  7. C · G
  8. F · C

Chorus

  1. Am · G
  2. F · C
  3. C · G
  4. F · C

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

C RG TAm JF EC RG TF EC RG TAm JF EC RG TF EC R

  • C to G: one column right
  • G to Am: down to the Minor row, two columns right
  • Am to F: up to the Major row, four columns left
  • F to C: one column right
  • G to F: two columns left

Chorus

Am JG TF EC RG TF EC R

  • Am to G: up to the Major row, two columns left

Key and simplifications

Let It Be stays in its original key of C: every chord it needs has a button on the instrument.

No chord had to be simplified.

Tips for playing Let It Be on the omnichord

Find the four buttons

Every chord of Let It Be on the omnichord lives in a compact patch of the grid. F, C and G are neighbours in the Major row, on the computer keys E, R and T. A minor is in the Minor row under the A column, on the J key, three columns to the right of C. A comfortable laptop setup is to keep three left-hand fingers on E, R and T and reach for J with your right index finger between strums.

The verse opens with C to G, a single step right (R to T), then goes A minor to F, which is the only real jump: from J all the way back to E. Practise that move on its own a few times. Each verse line then closes with F to C, one step right again.

Two chords per bar

Most bars in this chart hold two chords, so the change comes every two beats. The suggested Rock rhythm at 72 BPM keeps that steady: press the first chord on beat one and the second on beat three. If that feels rushed, pull the Tempo down to 60 BPM, the slowest setting, and start Follow mode in the practice bar, which waits until you press the right chord before moving on.

Turn Memory on so each chord keeps ringing after you release the key; that lets you lift your hand early and be ready for the next button. A Sustain of about two seconds gives each half-bar a soft tail without blurring into the next chord.

The chorus is the real test

The chorus starts on A minor instead of C, then steps down through G and F before resolving to C. On the keyboard that is J, then T, E and R. The opening J to T move catches people out because the verse has trained your hand to begin on R. Once Follow mode feels easy, switch to Play-along: it gives you one bar of count-in, keeps time with the rhythm machine and scores each chord change, so you can see exactly where the chorus slips. The Hold chord style gives a fuller backing, while Stab suits a quieter, lighter take.

Let It Be on the omnichord: questions

What key is Let It Be played in on the omnichord?

It stays in its original key of C. Every chord the song needs, C, G, A minor and F, has its own button on the 27-button grid, so nothing has to be transposed. If you play along with a recording, the chords you press line up with what you hear.

Which rhythm suits Let It Be?

The chart suggests Rock at 72 BPM. At that slow tempo the pattern feels relaxed rather than driving, and its four beats make the two-chords-per-bar changes easy to place. For something sparser, turn the Beat volume fader down and let the harp and chords carry the song.

Is Let It Be good for beginners?

Yes, it is rated easy. Four chords, three of them neighbours in the Major row, and a slow tempo make it a strong first song. The only stretch is the move from A minor back to F, which you can drill in Follow mode until it feels automatic.

Can I play Let It Be with just my computer keyboard?

You can. Press R, T, J and E for C, G, A minor and F, and strum with the number keys 1 to 0, minus, equals and Backspace, or press Space to sweep the whole plate. Holding Shift while pressing a chord key turns Memory on for that chord.

How many buttons does Let It Be need on the omnichord?

4: C (R), G (T), Am (J), F (E). C carries the song, sounding for about 38% of all beats, and there are 21 chord changes from start to finish.

How long does it take to play Let It Be through once?

The chart here is 12 bars of 4 beats. At the suggested 72 BPM that is about 40 s, plus a one-bar count-in in Play-along mode. Slow the Tempo fader down while you learn the changes.