Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play When We Were On Fire on piano
Written by James Bay & Jon Green
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 114 BPM
- 2013
- Easy
Learn When We Were On Fire in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – G – Bb – G
When We Were On Fire sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FVGVIBbIGVI- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Hop-skip heartbeat
Three steps, then a quick hop that skips right over beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 250 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Peekaboo chords
A chord on 2, then two surprises popping up between the beats. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 114 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: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about When We Were On Fire
What chords are in When We Were On Fire?
The loop is F – G – Bb – G (V5 – VI5 – I5 – VI5) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is When We Were On Fire in?
Bb major, at about 114 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in When We Were On Fire?
Hop-skip heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When We Were On Fire 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.