Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Waiting on the World to Change on piano
By John Mayer
- D major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- V–vi–IV–I loop
- 2006
- Easy
Learn Waiting on the World to Change in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A – Bm – G – D
Waiting on the World to Change sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; Bm is B, D and F#; G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AVBmviGIVDI- AA · C# · E
- BmB · D · F#
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Eager heartbeat
Jumps in early on the “and” before beat 3, like it can’t wait. Musicians call it root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 403 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: D – G – D
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DGD
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Questions about Waiting on the World to Change
What chords are in Waiting on the World to Change?
The loop is A – Bm – G – D (V – vi – IV – I) in D major, and the song ends on D – G – D.
What key is Waiting on the World to Change in?
D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Waiting on the World to Change?
Eager heartbeat: root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Waiting on the World to Change 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.