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How to play Everyday I Write The Book on piano

By Elvis Costello

  • C# minor
  • 4/4
  • 108 BPM
  • 1983
  • Easy
Tuning the piano…
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Left hand Freeze-tag footstepsThe right hand sings the tuneChords the loop the song repeats most

Play the full song with sheet music

Learn Everyday I Write The Book in 5 steps

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

  1. 1

    Chords: G#m – A – B – E

    How it goes

    Everyday I Write The Book sits in C# minor: C# is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G#m is G#, B and D#; A is A, C# and E; B is B, D# and F#; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.

    G#mvAVIBVIIEIII
    • G#mG# · B · D#
    • AA · C# · E
    • BB · D# · F#
    • EE · G# · B
  2. 2

    Left hand: Freeze-tag footsteps

    How it goes

    Step, step-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 286 songs of the library.

  3. 3

    Right hand: the chords, held

    How it goes

    In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.

  4. 4

    Both hands at 108 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. 5

    Ending: A – B – C#m

    How it goes

    The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.

    ABC#m
    • C#mC# · E · G#

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Questions about Everyday I Write The Book

What chords are in Everyday I Write The Book?

The loop is G#m – A – B – E (v – bVI – bVII – bIII) in C# minor, and the song ends on A – B – C#m.

What key is Everyday I Write The Book in?

C# minor, at about 108 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Everyday I Write The Book?

Freeze-tag footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Everyday I Write The Book 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.