Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Broken Record on piano
By Shakira
- G major
- 4/4
- 112 BPM
- 2014
- Easy
Learn Broken Record in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Em – Dsus4 – G
Broken Record sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B; Dsus4 is D, G and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviDsus4Vsus4GI- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- Dsus4D · G · A
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 112 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Broken Record
What chords are in Broken Record?
The loop is G – Em – Dsus4 – G (I5 – vi – Vsus – I5) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Broken Record in?
G major, at about 112 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Broken Record?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Broken Record 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.