Piano chords · Lullaby boat
How to play Beautiful Mess on piano
By Jason Mraz
- E major
- 6/8
- 56 BPM
- 2008
- Easy
Learn Beautiful Mess in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – G#m – F#m – A
Beautiful Mess sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; G#m is G#, B and D#; F#m is F#, A and C#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIG#miiiF#miiAIV- EE · G# · B
- G#mG# · B · D#
- F#mF# · A · C#
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Cradle pulse
A deep note, a rock to beat two, a soft pickup back: like a cradle. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2.3 (6/8) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 160 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Cradle chords
A chord, a rock to beat two, a soft pickup back: like a cradle. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 56 BPM
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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- BB · D# · F#
Play next
Questions about Beautiful Mess
What chords are in Beautiful Mess?
The loop is E – G#m – F#m – A (I – iii – ii – IV) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Beautiful Mess in?
E major, at about 56 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Beautiful Mess?
Cradle pulse: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2.3 (6/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Beautiful Mess 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.