Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Madman Across The Water on piano
By Elton John
- A minor
- 2/2
- 128 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Madman Across The Water in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – F – G
How it goes
Madman Across The Water sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIIIDmivFVIGVII- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Sleepy heartbeat
How it goes
One long note, then a soft double tap in the second half. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 314 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
How it goes
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 128 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: F – G – Am
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm- AmA · C · E
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Questions about Madman Across The Water
What chords are in Madman Across The Water?
The loop is C – Dm – F – G (bIII – iv – bVI – bVII) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.
What key is Madman Across The Water in?
A minor, at about 128 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Madman Across The Water?
Sleepy heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 3 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Madman Across The Water 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.