Pompeii Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Pompeii in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: D – A – A – C#m – F#m – E – E
How it goes
Pompeii sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E; C#m is C#, E and G#; F#m is F#, A and C#; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIVAIAIC#miiiF#mviEVEV
- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- C#mC# · E · G#
- F#mF# · A · C#
- EE · G# · B
18 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lub-dub heartbeat
How it goes
Two quick beats, a pause, two quick beats: just like a real heart. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
Lub-dub heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
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 128 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: D – E – A
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA

What chords are in Pompeii?

The loop is D – A – A – C#m – F#m – E – E (IV – I – iii – vi – V – IV – I) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.

What key is Pompeii in?

A major, at about 128 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Pompeii?

Lub-dub heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Pompeii easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Pompeii?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.