Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Just Another Day on piano
Written by John Mellencamp
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1996
- Medium
Learn Just Another Day in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – C – Dsus4 – Em
Just Another Day sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; C is C, E and G; Dsus4 is D, G and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmviCIVDsus4Vsus4Emvi- EmE · G · B
- CC · E · G
- Dsus4D · G · A
- 2
Left hand: Racing heartbeat
One calm beat, then non-stop quick notes racing to the end. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 3& · 4 · 4& (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 431 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Tiptoe chords
One firm chord, then three tiptoe chords between the beats. 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 – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Just Another Day
What chords are in Just Another Day?
The loop is Em – C – Dsus4 – Em (vi – IV5 – Vsus – vi) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Just Another Day in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Just Another Day?
Racing heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 3& · 4 · 4&, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Just Another Day easy to play on piano?
It is a medium 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.