How to play It Works For Me on piano

Learn It Works For Me in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – B – E – A
How it goes
It Works For Me sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; B is B, D# and F#; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIVBVEIAIV
- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#
- EE · G# · B
141 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Heartbeat octavesRocking octaves · RockLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Skipping-stone chords
How it goes
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.
Skipping-stone chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 140 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: A – B – E
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE

What chords are in It Works For Me?

The loop is A – B – E – A (IV – V – I – IV) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is It Works For Me in?

E major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in It Works For Me?

Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is It Works For Me 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.