Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play How Can I Be Sure on piano
Artist unknown
- D major
- 3/4
- 160 BPM
- bVII–I–bVII–I loop
- Easy
Learn How Can I Be Sure in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D – C – D
How Can I Be Sure sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CbVIIDICbVIIDI- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
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Questions about How Can I Be Sure
What chords are in How Can I Be Sure?
The loop is C – D – C – D (bVII – I – bVII – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is How Can I Be Sure in?
D major, at about 160 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in How Can I Be Sure?
Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is How Can I Be Sure 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.