Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Because I Had You on piano
Written by Shawn Mendes, Teddy Geiger & others
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- vi–IV–I–vi loop
- 2018
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Because I Had You in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – C – G – Em
How it goes
Because I Had You sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmviCIVGIEmvi- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Dawdling footsteps
How it goes
Two steps, then a lazy late note after beat 3 that catches up on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 222 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Because I Had You
What chords are in Because I Had You?
The loop is Em – C – G – Em (vi – IV – I – vi) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Because I Had You in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Because I Had You?
Dawdling footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Because I Had You 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.