Being Alive Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Being Alive in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Dm – G7 – Dm – G7
Being Alive sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiG7V7DmiiG7V7
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
136 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island zigzag
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 302 songs of the library.
Island zigzagBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 95 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Being Alive?

The loop is Dm – G7 – Dm – G7 (ii – V7 – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Being Alive in?

C major, at about 95 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Being Alive?

Island zigzag: broken chord 8-12-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Being Alive 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.