Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Breathe on piano
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Bb major
- 3/4
- 150 BPM
- 2008
- Easy
Learn Breathe in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Gm – Fsus4 – F
Breathe sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Gm is G, Bb and D; Fsus4 is F, Bb and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FVGmviFsus4Vsus4FV- FF · A · C
- GmG · Bb · D
- Fsus4F · Bb · C
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Swaying waltz chords
Two waltz chords, then a late top note after beat 3 that leans forward. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 150 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: Gm – F – Bb
The last chords are vi – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmFBb- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Breathe
What chords are in Breathe?
The loop is F – Gm – Fsus4 – F (V – vi – Vsus – V) in Bb major, and the song ends on Gm – F – Bb.
What key is Breathe in?
Bb major, at about 150 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Breathe?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Breathe 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.