Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Deja Vu on piano
By Katy Perry
- E minor
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- i–iv–i–iv loop
- 2017
- Easy
Learn Deja Vu in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – Am – Em – Am
Deja Vu sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiAmivEmiAmiv- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- 2
Left hand: Dawdling footsteps
Two steps, then a lazy late note after beat 3 that catches up on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 222 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 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 – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Deja Vu
What chords are in Deja Vu?
The loop is Em – Am – Em – Am (i – iv – i – iv) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.
What key is Deja Vu in?
E minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Deja Vu?
Dawdling footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Deja Vu 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.