Piano chords · Classical salon
How to play First Day Of My Life on piano
Written by Conor Oberst
- E major
- 4/4
- 94 BPM
- vi–IV–V–I loop
- 2005
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn First Day Of My Life in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C#m – A – B – E
How it goes
First Day Of My Life sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C#m is C#, E and G#; 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.
C#mviAIVBVEI- C#mC# · E · G#
- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#
- EE · G# · B
- 2
Left hand: Bouncing Alberti
How it goes
Low, high, middle, high on each beat: a bouncy, cheerful bass. Musicians call it alberti bass 1-8-5-8 (alberti bass), an easy pattern heard in 172 songs of the library.
- 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
Both hands at 94 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: A – B – E
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
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Questions about First Day Of My Life
What chords are in First Day Of My Life?
The loop is C#m – A – B – E (vi – IV – V – I) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is First Day Of My Life in?
E major, at about 94 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in First Day Of My Life?
Bouncing Alberti: alberti bass 1-8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is First Day Of My Life 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.