Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play New York, New York on piano
Written by Ryan Adams
- A major
- 4/4
- 106 BPM
- I–IV–I–IV loop
- 2001
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn New York, New York in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – D – A – D
How it goes
New York, New York sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIDIVAIDIV- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Fluttering heartbeat
How it goes
A quick flutter before beat 2, then a push before beat 3. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 152 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 106 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: D – E – A
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA- EE · G# · B
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Questions about New York, New York
What chords are in New York, New York?
The loop is A – D – A – D (I – IV – I – IV) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.
What key is New York, New York in?
A major, at about 106 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in New York, New York?
Fluttering heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is New York, New York easy to play on piano?
It is a medium 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.