Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Breakin’ at the Cracks on piano
Written by Colbie Caillat & Jason Reeves
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- ii–I–ii–I loop
- 2009
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Breakin’ at the Cracks in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Fm – Eb – Fm – Eb
How it goes
Breakin’ at the Cracks sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Fm is F, Ab and C; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FmiiEbIFmiiEbI- FmF · Ab · C
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
How it goes
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-knock chords
How it goes
One chord, a long wait, then a quick knock-knock at the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: Eb – Fm – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFmEb
Play next
Questions about Breakin’ at the Cracks
What chords are in Breakin’ at the Cracks?
The loop is Fm – Eb – Fm – Eb (ii – I – ii – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Fm – Eb.
What key is Breakin’ at the Cracks in?
Eb major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Breakin’ at the Cracks?
Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Breakin’ at the Cracks 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.