Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
California: piano accompaniment sheet music
Written by Melissa Etheridge
- D major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- I–V–ii–IV loop
- 2007
- Easy
California written out as piano music: the I – V – ii – IV loop in D major for both hands, with chord names and finger numbers. Press play and follow the cursor. The left hand plays drowsy heartbeat (root bass · 1 · 3 · 4&), and the right hand sings the tune.
California chord chart
The loop once round, bar by bar, in D major. The roman numeral says the chord's place in the key, so the same chart works in any key.
| Bar | Chord | Numeral | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | I | D F# A |
| 2 | A | V | A C# E |
| 3 | Em | ii | E G B |
| 4 | G | IV | G B D |
What the sheet music shows
The grand staff: the right hand on the treble staff, the left hand on the bass staff, with the chord names above and a finger number on each note (1 is the thumb). It is the accompaniment: drowsy heartbeat (root bass · 1 · 3 · 4&) in the left hand, with the right hand free for the melody, over the D – A – Em – G chords.
Press play and a cursor follows the music. Above it, Colours paints each note in its key’s colour and Note names writes its letter on its head.
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Questions about California
Does the sheet music for California have finger numbers?
Yes: every note of both hands has its finger number, 1 being the thumb. To read the notes alone, turn Fingers off above the music.
What chords are in California?
The loop is D – A – Em – G (I – V – ii – IV) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is California in?
D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in California?
Drowsy heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is California 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.