Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Livin’ Thing on piano
Written by Jeff Lynne
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1976
- Easy
Learn Livin’ Thing in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Am – F – D7
Livin’ Thing sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAmviFIVD7II7- CC · E · G
- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-hop chords
Steady chords with one quick extra hop after beat 3. 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: D7 – G7 – C
The last chords are II7 – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
D7G7C- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about Livin’ Thing
What chords are in Livin’ Thing?
The loop is C – Am – F – D7 (I – vi – IV – II7) in C major, and the song ends on D7 – G7 – C.
What key is Livin’ Thing in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Livin’ Thing?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Livin’ Thing 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.