Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play I Could Write A Book on piano
By Jerry Butler
- C major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1940
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn I Could Write A Book in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – A7 – D7 – Gsus4 – G – Dm – G
How it goes
I Could Write A Book sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 7 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; Gsus4 is G, C and D; G is G, B and D; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7VI7A7VI7D7II7Gsus4Vsus4GVDmiiGV- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- Gsus4G · C · D
- GG · B · D
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
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: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: C – F – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CFC- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
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Questions about I Could Write A Book
What chords are in I Could Write A Book?
The loop is A7 – A7 – D7 – Gsus4 – G – Dm – G (VI7 – II7 – Vsus4 – V – ii – V – VI7) in C major, and the song ends on C – F – C.
What key is I Could Write A Book in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in I Could Write A Book?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I Could Write A Book easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 7 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of I Could Write A Book?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.