Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Comfortably Numb on piano
By Pink Floyd
- B minor
- 4/4
- 62 BPM
- 1979
- Easy
Learn Comfortably Numb in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bm – Bm – B – Bm – A
Comfortably Numb sits in B minor: B is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; B is B, D# and F#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BmiBmiBIBmiAVII- BmB · D · F#
- BB · D# · F#
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Leapfrog pulse
One long note, then a quick hop that leaps right into beat 3. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2a · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 153 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 62 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: G – A – Bm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GABm- GG · B · D
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Questions about Comfortably Numb
What chords are in Comfortably Numb?
The loop is Bm – Bm – B – Bm – A (i – I – i – VII – i) in B minor, and the song ends on G – A – Bm.
What key is Comfortably Numb in?
B minor, at about 62 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Comfortably Numb?
Leapfrog pulse: root bass · 1 · 2a · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Comfortably Numb easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Comfortably Numb?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the opening of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.