Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Seize The Day on piano
By Alan Menken & Jack Feldman
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 92 BPM
- I–bVII–IV–I loop
- 1992
- Easy
Learn Seize The Day in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Ab – Eb – Bb
Seize The Day sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIAbbVIIEbIVBbI- BbBb · D · F
- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Skipping-stone pulse
One strong note, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 282 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 92 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: Cm – Eb – Bb
The last chords are ii – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CmEbBb- CmC · Eb · G
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Questions about Seize The Day
What chords are in Seize The Day?
The loop is Bb – Ab – Eb – Bb (I – bVII – IV – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Cm – Eb – Bb.
What key is Seize The Day in?
Bb major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Seize The Day?
Skipping-stone pulse: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Seize The Day 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.