I Write The Songs Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn I Write The Songs in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Gm – C – Gm – C
I Write The Songs sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiiCVGmiiCV
- GmG · Bb · D
- CC · E · G
33 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Seesaw bass
Low, higher, low, higher on every beat: a steady seesaw. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 481 songs of the library.
Seesaw bassRoot–fifth bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
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.
Push chordsSyncopated chords · RockRight handEasy
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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C

What chords are in I Write The Songs?

The loop is Gm – C – Gm – C (ii – V – ii – V) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is I Write The Songs in?

F major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in I Write The Songs?

Seesaw bass: root–fifth 1-5-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is I Write The Songs 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.