Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Live And Let Die on piano
- G major
- 4/4
- 66 BPM
- I–iii–IV–V7 loop
- 1973
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Live And Let Die in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Bm – C – D7
How it goes
Live And Let Die sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Bm is B, D and F#; C is C, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIBmiiiCIVD7V7- GG · B · D
- BmB · D · F#
- CC · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 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.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 66 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Live And Let Die
What chords are in Live And Let Die?
The loop is G – Bm – C – D7 (I – iii – IV – V7) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Live And Let Die in?
G major, at about 66 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Live And Let Die?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Live And Let Die 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Live And Let Die?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.