Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Nightswimming on piano
Written by William Berry, Peter Buck & others
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1992
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Nightswimming in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – C – Dsus4 – D
How it goes
Nightswimming sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; C is C, E and G; Dsus4 is D, G and A; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIICIVDsus4Vsus4DV- AA · C# · E
- CC · E · G
- Dsus4D · G · A
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
How it goes
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 100 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: Dsus4 – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are Vsus – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
Dsus4DG- GG · B · D
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Questions about Nightswimming
What chords are in Nightswimming?
The loop is A – C – Dsus4 – D (II – IV – Vsus – V) in G major, and the song ends on Dsus4 – D – G.
What key is Nightswimming in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Nightswimming?
Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Nightswimming 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.