Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Outside Looking In on piano
By Nick Lachey
- D major
- 2/2
- 152 BPM
- 2006
- Easy
Learn Outside Looking In in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – A – D – Dsus4
Outside Looking In sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E; Dsus4 is D, G and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIAVDIDsus4Isus4- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- Dsus4D · G · A
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 152 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: D – Dsus4 – D
The last chords are I – Isus – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DDsus4D
Play next
Questions about Outside Looking In
What chords are in Outside Looking In?
The loop is D – A – D – Dsus4 (I – V – I5 – Isus) in D major, and the song ends on D – Dsus4 – D.
What key is Outside Looking In in?
D major, at about 152 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Outside Looking In?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Outside Looking In 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.