Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Summertime on piano
By New Kids On The Block
- E major
- 4/4
- 85 BPM
- I–ii–IV–V loop
- 2008
- Easy
Learn Summertime in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – F#m – A – B
Summertime sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; F#m is F#, A and C#; A is A, C# and E; B is B, D# and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIF#miiAIVBV- EE · G# · B
- F#mF# · A · C#
- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#
- 2
Left hand: Hiccup heartbeat
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
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 85 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
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Questions about Summertime
What chords are in Summertime?
The loop is E – F#m – A – B (I – ii – IV – V) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Summertime in?
E major, at about 85 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Summertime?
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 Summertime 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.