Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play That’s What I Like on piano
Written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence & others
- C major
- 2/2
- 134 BPM
- 2016
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn That’s What I Like in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Dm – F – Em
How it goes
That’s What I Like sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; F is F, A and C; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIDmiiFIVEmiii- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 134 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
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Questions about That’s What I Like
What chords are in That’s What I Like?
The loop is C – Dm – F – Em (I – ii – IV – iii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is That’s What I Like in?
C major, at about 134 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in That’s What I Like?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is That’s What I Like 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.