Miss Sarajevo Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Miss Sarajevo in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: F#m – B – F#m – B
Miss Sarajevo sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F#m is F#, A and C#; B is B, D# and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
F#miiBVF#miiBV
- F#mF# · A · C#
- BB · D# · F#
33 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Tiptoe heartbeat
One firm note, then three tiptoe steps between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 245 songs of the library.
Tiptoe heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
- AA · C# · E
- EE · G# · B

What chords are in Miss Sarajevo?

The loop is F#m – B – F#m – B (ii – V – ii – V) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is Miss Sarajevo in?

E major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Miss Sarajevo?

Tiptoe heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Miss Sarajevo 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.