Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play I Don't Want To Wait on piano
By Paula Cole
- C major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1996
- Easy
Learn I Don't Want To Wait in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – Am – Gsus4
I Don't Want To Wait sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; Gsus4 is G, C and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVAmviGsus4Vsus4- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- Gsus4G · C · D
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Skipping-stone chords
One chord, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
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Questions about I Don't Want To Wait
What chords are in I Don't Want To Wait?
The loop is C – G – Am – Gsus4 (I – V – vi – Vsus) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is I Don't Want To Wait in?
C major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in I Don't Want To Wait?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I Don't Want To Wait 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.