Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play It’s A Fine Life on piano
By Lionel Bart
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- Easy
Learn It’s A Fine Life in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – C – G7 – C
It’s A Fine Life sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7CIG7V7CI- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: C – G7 – C
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CG7C
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Questions about It’s A Fine Life
What chords are in It’s A Fine Life?
The loop is G7 – C – G7 – C (V7 – I – V7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on C – G7 – C.
What key is It’s A Fine Life in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in It’s A Fine Life?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is It’s A Fine Life 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.