Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Middle on piano
By Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
- G major
- 4/4
- 110 BPM
- 1916
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Middle in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Cmaj7 – Em7 – D – C – Cmaj7 – G – D – C
How it goes
The Middle sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B; Em7 is E, G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; 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.
Cmaj7IVmaj7Em7vi7DVCIVCmaj7IVmaj7GIDVCIV- Cmaj7C · E · G · B
- Em7E · G · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Knock-knock footsteps
How it goes
Step, then a quick knock-knock, a pause, and one last step. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 471 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
How it goes
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 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 The Middle
What chords are in The Middle?
The loop is Cmaj7 – Em7 – D – C – Cmaj7 – G – D – C (IVmaj7 – vi7 – V – IV – IVmaj7 – I – V – IV) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is The Middle in?
G major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Middle?
Knock-knock footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Middle easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of The Middle?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the repeating figure of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.