Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play When The Stars Come Out on piano
Written by Chris Stapleton & Dan Wilson
- G major
- 4/4
- 150 BPM
- I–bVII–IV–I loop
- 2012
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn When The Stars Come Out in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – F – C – G
How it goes
When The Stars Come Out sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIFbVIICIVGI- GG · B · D
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Lub-dub chords
How it goes
Two quick chords, a pause, two quick chords: just like a heartbeat. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 150 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: F – C – G
How it goes
The last chords are bVII – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FCG
Play next
Questions about When The Stars Come Out
What chords are in When The Stars Come Out?
The loop is G – F – C – G (I – bVII – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on F – C – G.
What key is When The Stars Come Out in?
G major, at about 150 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in When The Stars Come Out?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When The Stars Come Out 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.