Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Empire State Of Mind (Part II) on piano
Written by Alicia Keys, Shawn Carter & others
- F major
- 4/4
- 95 BPM
- 1970
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Empire State Of Mind (Part II) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Bb – C7 – F – F – Gm7
How it goes
Empire State Of Mind (Part II) sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; Gm7 is G, Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIVBbIVC7V7FIFIGm7ii7- BbBb · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- Gm7G · Bb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Run-up footsteps
How it goes
Four steady steps plus a quick extra one that leads into the next bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 581 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Offbeat skank
How it goes
Chords only on the “and”: reggae and swing. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 95 BPM
How it goes
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
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- CC · E · G
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Questions about Empire State Of Mind (Part II)
What chords are in Empire State Of Mind (Part II)?
The loop is Bb – Bb – C7 – F – F – Gm7 (IV – V7 – I – ii7 – IV – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Empire State Of Mind (Part II) in?
F major, at about 95 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Empire State Of Mind (Part II)?
Run-up footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Empire State Of Mind (Part II) easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Empire State Of Mind (Part II)?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune 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.