Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play King on piano
- D major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 2015
- Medium
Learn King in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bm – A – Em – D
King sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; A is A, C# and E; Em is E, G and B; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BmviAVEmiiDI- BmB · D · F#
- AA · C# · E
- EmE · G · B
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Double island pulse
The island rhythm squeezed in twice per bar: quick and dancy. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3 · 3a · 4& (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 122 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: G – A – D
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- GG · B · D
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Questions about King
What chords are in King?
The loop is Bm – A – Em – D (vi – V – ii – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is King in?
D major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in King?
Double island pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3 · 3a · 4&, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is King 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.