Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Spotlight on piano
By Selena Gomez & The Scene
- E major
- 4/4
- 98 BPM
- IV–vi–IV–vi loop
- 2010
- Medium
Learn Spotlight in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – C#m – A – C#m
Spotlight sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; C#m is C#, E and G#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIVC#mviAIVC#mvi- AA · C# · E
- C#mC# · E · G#
- 2
Left hand: Double island pulse
The island rhythm squeezed in twice per bar: quick and dancy. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3 · 3a · 4& (root bass rhythm), a medium pattern heard in 122 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 98 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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- BB · D# · F#
- EE · G# · B
Play next
Questions about Spotlight
What chords are in Spotlight?
The loop is A – C#m – A – C#m (IV – vi – IV – vi) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Spotlight in?
E major, at about 98 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Spotlight?
Double island pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 3 · 3a · 4&, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Spotlight easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.