Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Break Up Song on piano
By Pixie Lott
- Db major
- 4/4
- 95 BPM
- I–ii–IV–I loop
- 2014
- Easy
Learn Break Up Song in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Db – Ebm – Gb – Db
Break Up Song sits in Db major: Db is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Db is Db, F and Ab; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; Gb is Gb, Bb and Db. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DbIEbmiiGbIVDbI- DbDb · F · Ab
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- GbGb · Bb · Db
- 2
Left hand: Hop-back bounce
High, low, then back up to stay: a simple, sturdy bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 171 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 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: Db – Ab – Db
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbAbDb- AbAb · C · Eb
Play next
Questions about Break Up Song
What chords are in Break Up Song?
The loop is Db – Ebm – Gb – Db (I – ii – IV – I) in Db major, and the song ends on Db – Ab – Db.
What key is Break Up Song in?
Db major, at about 95 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Break Up Song?
Hop-back bounce: broken chord 8-5-8-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Break Up Song 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.