Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Monster on piano
By Eminem feat. Rihanna
- E major
- 4/4
- 112 BPM
- vi–V–IV–vi loop
- 2013
- Medium
Learn The Monster in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C#m – B – A – C#m
The Monster sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C#m is C#, E and G#; B is B, D# and F#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C#mviBVAIVC#mvi- C#mC# · E · G#
- BB · D# · F#
- AA · C# · E
- 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: Double island chords
The island rhythm squeezed in twice per bar: quick and dancy. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 112 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- EE · G# · B
Play next
Questions about The Monster
What chords are in The Monster?
The loop is C#m – B – A – C#m (vi – V – IV – vi) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is The Monster in?
E major, at about 112 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in The Monster?
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 The Monster 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.