Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Key West Intermezzo on piano
Written by John Mellencamp & George M. Green
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–V–IV–I loop
- 1996
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Key West Intermezzo in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – D – C – G
How it goes
Key West Intermezzo sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIDVCIVGI- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Tumbling heartbeat
How it goes
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.
- 3
Right hand: Wobbly chords
How it goes
Two off-balance chords on the “ands”, then a firm landing on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: D – C – G
How it goes
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DCG
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Questions about Key West Intermezzo
What chords are in Key West Intermezzo?
The loop is G – D – C – G (I – V – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on D – C – G.
What key is Key West Intermezzo in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Key West Intermezzo?
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 Key West Intermezzo 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.