Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play When In Rome on piano
Written by Cy Coleman
- C major
- 2/2
- 100 BPM
- 1964
- Easy
Learn When In Rome in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Ab – Bbm – Eb7 – Ab
When In Rome sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Eb7 is Eb, G, Bb and Db. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbbVIBbmbviiEb7bIII7AbbVI- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbmBb · Db · F
- Eb7Eb · G · Bb · Db
- 2
Left hand: Skipping-stone pulse
One strong note, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 282 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
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 100 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: C – Dm – C
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDmC- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
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Questions about When In Rome
What chords are in When In Rome?
The loop is Ab – Bbm – Eb7 – Ab (bVI – bvii – bIII7 – bVI) in C major, and the song ends on C – Dm – C.
What key is When In Rome in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in When In Rome?
Skipping-stone pulse: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When In Rome 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.