Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play In Common on piano
By Alicia Keys
- C minor
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 2016
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn In Common in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cm – Bb – Ab – Fm
How it goes
In Common sits in C minor: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; Bb is Bb, D and F; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmiBbVIIAbVIFmiv- CmC · Eb · G
- BbBb · D · F
- AbAb · C · Eb
- FmF · Ab · C
- 2
Left hand: Drowsy heartbeat
How it goes
Two slow notes, then a late one that slips in before the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 889 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 120 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: Ab – Bb – Cm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbCm
Play next
Questions about In Common
What chords are in In Common?
The loop is Cm – Bb – Ab – Fm (i – bVII – bVI – iv) in C minor, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Cm.
What key is In Common in?
C minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in In Common?
Drowsy heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is In Common easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.