Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Must Be Nice on piano
Written by Lyfe Jennings
- E minor
- 4/4
- 75 BPM
- bVI–bVII–i–bVI loop
- 2005
- Easy
Learn Must Be Nice in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D – Em – C
Must Be Nice sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CVIDVIIEmiCVI- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 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 75 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: C – D – Em
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm
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Questions about Must Be Nice
What chords are in Must Be Nice?
The loop is C – D – Em – C (bVI – bVII – i – bVI) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.
What key is Must Be Nice in?
E minor, at about 75 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Must Be Nice?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Must Be Nice 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.