Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play By The Time on piano
Written by Mika & Imogen Heap
- F major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 2009
- Easy
Learn By The Time in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Bbsus4 – Dsus4 – Gm
By The Time sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bbsus4 is Bb, Eb and F; Dsus4 is D, G and A; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIBbsus4IVsus4Dsus4VIsus4Gmii- FF · A · C
- Bbsus4Bb · Eb · F
- Dsus4D · G · A
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Tiptoe seesaw
A low note, then the higher note tiptoes on every “and”. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 207 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 80 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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
- CC · E · G
Play next
Questions about By The Time
What chords are in By The Time?
The loop is F – Bbsus4 – Dsus4 – Gm (I5 – IVsus – VIsus – ii) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is By The Time in?
F major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in By The Time?
Tiptoe seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is By The Time 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.