Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play For Once In My Life on piano
By Dean Martin
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1965
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn For Once In My Life in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Bb – Bdim – Cm – Ab – F7
How it goes
For Once In My Life sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Bdim is B, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIBbIBdimbii°CmiiAbbVIIF7V7- BbBb · D · F
- BdimB · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
- AbAb · C · Eb
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 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: 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 100 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: Eb – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
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Questions about For Once In My Life
What chords are in For Once In My Life?
The loop is Bb – Bb – Bdim – Cm – Ab – F7 (I – bii° – ii – bVII – V7 – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is For Once In My Life in?
Bb major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in For Once In My Life?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is For Once In My Life easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of For Once In My Life?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.