Day In, Day Out Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Day In, Day Out in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: C – Dm – G – C
Day In, Day Out sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIDmiiGVCI
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- GG · B · D
34 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Seesaw bass
Low, higher, low, higher on every beat: a steady seesaw. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 481 songs of the library.
Seesaw bassRoot–fifth bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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 – Fm – C
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CFmC
- FmF · Ab · C

What chords are in Day In, Day Out?

The loop is C – Dm – G – C (I – ii – V – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – Fm – C.

What key is Day In, Day Out in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Day In, Day Out?

Seesaw bass: root–fifth 1-5-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Day In, Day Out 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.