Super Simple Chords

Piano chords · Pop heartbeat

How to play Police Station on piano

Written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea & others

  • G major
  • 4/4
  • 84 BPM
  • 2011
  • Easy
Tuning the piano…
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Left hand Hiccup heartbeatRight hand Wait-a-beat chordsChords the loop the song repeats most

Play the full song with sheet music

Learn Police Station in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

  1. 1

    Chords: F – C – Asus4 – A

    How it goes

    Police Station sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; Asus4 is A, D and E; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.

    FbVIICIVAsus4IIsus4AII
    • FF · A · C
    • CC · E · G
    • Asus4A · D · E
    • AA · C# · E
  2. 2

    Left hand: Hiccup heartbeat

    How it goes

    A tiny hiccup just before beat 3, then a push on the “and”. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 121 songs of the library.

  3. 3

    Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords

    How it goes

    Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.

  4. 4

    Both hands at 84 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. 5

    Ending: C – D – G

    How it goes

    The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.

    CDG
    • DD · F# · A
    • GG · B · D

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Questions about Police Station

What chords are in Police Station?

The loop is F – C – Asus4 – A (bVII – IV – IIsus – II) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is Police Station in?

G major, at about 84 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Police Station?

Hiccup heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Police Station 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.