How to play Ironic on piano

Learn Ironic in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – C – G – Am7 – G – C – G – Am7
Ironic sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; Am7 is A, C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GVCIGVAm7vi7GVCIGVAm7vi7
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- Am7A · C · E · G
31 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Tumbling heartbeat
Quick notes tumble forward from the start and land on beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 112 songs of the library.
Tumbling heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Dance-floor chords
Off-centre chords keep landing between the beats: a dance-floor groove. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Dance-floor chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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

What chords are in Ironic?

The loop is G – C – G – Am7 – G – C – G – Am7 (V – I – V – vi7 – V – I – V – vi7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Ironic in?

C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Ironic?

Tumbling heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Ironic easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Ironic?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.