Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Semi-Charmed Life on piano
Written by Stephan Jenkins
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–V–IV–I loop
- 1997
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Semi-Charmed Life in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – D – C – G
How it goes
Semi-Charmed Life sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIDVCIVGI- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Cartwheel heartbeat
How it goes
Five evenly spaced notes roll across the beats, then land on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3e · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 89 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Cartwheel chords
How it goes
Five evenly spaced chords roll across the beats, then land on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: 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
Play next
Questions about Semi-Charmed Life
What chords are in Semi-Charmed Life?
The loop is G – D – C – G (I – V – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Semi-Charmed Life in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Semi-Charmed Life?
Cartwheel heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3e · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Semi-Charmed Life 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.