Piano chords · Film & wonder
How to play Moonage Daydream on piano
Written by David Bowie
- D major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- Tricky
Learn Moonage Daydream in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – G – Bm – E
Moonage Daydream sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; G is G, B and D; Bm is B, D and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIIGIVBmviEII- EE · G# · B
- GG · B · D
- BmB · D · F#
- 2
Left hand: Thunder tremolo
An octave shaking fast: thunder and suspense. Musicians call it octave tremolo (tremolo), a tricky pattern heard in 150 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 72 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- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Moonage Daydream
What chords are in Moonage Daydream?
The loop is E – G – Bm – E (II – IV – vi – II) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Moonage Daydream in?
D major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Moonage Daydream?
Thunder tremolo: octave tremolo, a tricky pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Moonage Daydream easy to play on piano?
It is a tricky 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.