Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play New Years Day on piano
Written by Mitchell Grassi, Scott Hoying & others
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 108 BPM
- IV–I–V–ii loop
- 2015
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn New Years Day in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – Bb – F – Cm
How it goes
New Years Day sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVBbIFVCmii- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- CmC · Eb · G
- 2
Left hand: Butterfly heartbeat
How it goes
A quick fluttery group at the start, then a long glide to beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 89 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Swing push
How it goes
Three chords tumble out early with a swing, then the bar breathes. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 108 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: Eb – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
Play next
Questions about New Years Day
What chords are in New Years Day?
The loop is Eb – Bb – F – Cm (IV – I – V – ii) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is New Years Day in?
Bb major, at about 108 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in New Years Day?
Butterfly heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is New Years Day 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.