Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play International Lover on piano
By Prince
- C major
- 4/4
- 70 BPM
- 1982
- Tricky
Learn International Lover in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – B7 – F – C
International Lover sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; B7 is B, D#, F# and A; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIB7VII7FIVCI- CC · E · G
- B7B · D# · F# · A
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Rock hop
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Trotting-sleigh chords
Three quick chords on every beat: a rolling, joyful gallop. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 70 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about International Lover
What chords are in International Lover?
The loop is C – B7 – F – C (I – VII7 – IV – I) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is International Lover in?
C major, at about 70 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in International Lover?
Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is International Lover easy to play on piano?
It is a tricky one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.