Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play One Heartbeat on piano
Written by Steve Legassick & Brian Ray
- C major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 1987
- Easy
Learn One Heartbeat in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Dm – G – C
One Heartbeat sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVDmiiGVCI- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Island pulse
Three, three, two: the island rhythm in so many pop hits. Musicians call it root bass · tresillo 3-3-2 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Skipping-stone chords
One chord, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 90 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 – F – C
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GFC
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Questions about One Heartbeat
What chords are in One Heartbeat?
The loop is F – Dm – G – C (IV – ii – V – I) in C major, and the song ends on G – F – C.
What key is One Heartbeat in?
C major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in One Heartbeat?
Island pulse: root bass · tresillo 3-3-2, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is One Heartbeat 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.