Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play How Do I Live on piano
Written by Diane Warren
- D major
- 4/4
- 64 BPM
- 1997
- Easy
Learn How Do I Live in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – A – G – F#m
How Do I Live sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E; G is G, B and D; F#m is F#, A and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIAVGIVF#miii- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- GG · B · D
- F#mF# · A · C#
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 64 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
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Questions about How Do I Live
What chords are in How Do I Live?
The loop is D – A – G – F#m (I – V – IV – iii) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is How Do I Live in?
D major, at about 64 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in How Do I Live?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is How Do I Live 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.