Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play The Heart of Life on piano
Artist unknown
- C major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- IV–I–V–I loop
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Heart of Life in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – C – G – C
How it goes
The Heart of Life sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVCIGVCI- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 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: Tiptoe chords
How it goes
One firm chord, then three tiptoe chords between the beats. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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
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Questions about The Heart of Life
What chords are in The Heart of Life?
The loop is F – C – G – C (IV – I – V – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is The Heart of Life in?
C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in The Heart of Life?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Heart of 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.