Born Too Late Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Born Too Late in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: E – C#m – F#m – B7
How it goes
Born Too Late sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; C#m is C#, E and G#; F#m is F#, A and C#; B7 is B, D#, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIC#mviF#miiB7V7
- EE · G# · B
- C#mC# · E · G#
- F#mF# · A · C#
- B7B · D# · F# · A
160 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Slow-dance heartbeat
How it goes
Four slow, deep beats under a swaying fifties ballad. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 134 songs of the library.
Slow-dance heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · 50s doo-wopLeft handEasy
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 126 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: E – A – E
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EAE
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Born Too Late?

The loop is E – C#m – F#m – B7 (I – vi – ii – V7) in E major, and the song ends on E – A – E.

What key is Born Too Late in?

E major, at about 126 beats a minute in 12/8.

What does the left hand play in Born Too Late?

Slow-dance heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 (12/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Born Too Late 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.