When I Was Your Man, Piano Chords

By Music Critic Staff· Last Updated: February 16, 2024

Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man" is a touching ballad about a man who regrets everything he didn't do when he had the chance with the woman he loves. The song is written in the key of D minor and revolves around a few basic chords: Dm, G, and C.

By understanding these common chords and their corresponding patterns, you can play the piano chord along with the recording and create lush interpretations of this beautiful song. Let's take a look at each of the chords in more detail.

The chord progression for "When I Was Your Man" is Dm-G-C-F. This progression can be easily played using the following chord shapes:

Dm: 1-3-5-7

G: 3-5-7-9

C: 5-7-8-10

F: 1-3-5

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Key Points

•"When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars is a touching ballad about regret, written in the key of D minor and c major chord

• The song revolves around a few basic chords: Dm, G, and C.

• By understanding these basic piano chords and their corresponding patterns, you can play along with the recording and create lush interpretations of this beautiful song.

Play the Piano as Bruno Does

"When I Was Your Man" is a touching ballad by Bruno Mars. The song is simple but effective and an excellent choice for beginner piano players. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to play music like Bruno.

The first step is to learn the chords for the song. There are only four chords in "When I Was Your Man," and they are all basic chords that most beginners will know. Once you have the chords down, start practicing them with the song.

The song is in the minor key of D and is built on the chords Dm, G, and C. Let's examine the chords' playing techniques.

Dm: Place your left hand in the keyboard's middle, with your thumb on the black key to the left of the D key. Then, place your right hand on the E key and press down with your thumb on the back of the keyboard. Finally, press down on the G key with your pinky finger.

G: Place your left hand in the keyboard's middle, with your thumb on the black key to the left of the G key. Then, place your right hand on the A key and press down with your thumb on the back of the keyboard. Finally, press down on the C key with your pinky finger.

C: Place your left hand in the keyboard's middle, with your thumb on the black key to the left of the C key. Then, place your right hand on the E key and press down with your thumb on the back. Finally, press down on the G key with your ring finger. The C chord is one of several chords that can be tricky for beginner piano players because it requires stretching and reaching across the span of several keys. It just takes some practice!

Practicing The Chords

The simplicity makes "When I Was Your Man" a great melody. It will become one of your favorite songs to play. The chord progression is fundamental, and it's easy to learn how to play once you have created a pattern to understand. However, that doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvisation. You can add extra chords and embellishments to make the song sound more sophisticated.

If you listen to Bruno Mars' version of "When I Was Your Man," you realize it is a perfect example of how to play this song with feeling. His piano accompaniment gives the song a soulful feel that makes it unique. Adding simple embellishments can make your playing sound as good as Bruno's.

One example is adding an F# minor chord in the chorus after the G# minor chord. This will give the song a richer sound and make it more complex. You could also experiment with different timing and rhythms, adding variety to your playing.

One of the best things about this song is its versatility. You can play it as a ballad or jazz it up and give it a more uptempo feel. No matter how you play it, "When I Was Your Man" is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Bruno Mars has a unique and instantly recognizable style. His piano playing is a big part of his sound, which you can learn to emulate.

Following The Chord Techniques

Bruno doesn't just play the chords straight; he adds many embellishments and variations. You can do the same thing to make your playing sound more interesting. Experiment with different rhythms and chord voicings to create your unique version of the song.

Practice regularly. The more you play, the better you'll get. Not only will you be able to play "When I Was Your Man" like Bruno Mars, but you'll also be able to play other songs by him and other famous pianists.

Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your playing! Playing the piano can be a lot of fun, but it takes practice to get good at it. So, the more you play, the better you'll get. Not only will you be able to play "When I Was Your Man" like Bruno Mars, but you'll also be able to play other songs by him and other famous pianists. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your playing.

The Difficulty of This Song

When I think of Bruno Mars, the first thing that comes to mind is his incredible vocal range. He can go from low and soulful to high and energetic without missing a beat. But what sets Bruno apart is his ability to play the piano. His piano playing adds an extra layer of sophistication to his music.

Most people don't realize how difficult it is to play the piano well. It's not just a matter of pressing the right keys at the right time. You also have to ensure that you're playing the correct chords and that your timing is perfect. Bruno has mastered all these skills, and his piano playing adds an extra dimension to his songs.

Bruno adds many embellishments and variations to make his playing sound more interesting. You can do the same thing to make your playing sound more sophisticated.

To learn how to play common piano chords like Bruno Mars, you must understand the basics, know when to use your middle finger, and play the chords on major or minor chords. You need to know how to read music, and you need to practice regularly. Becoming a skilled pianist takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the end.

Once you've mastered the basics, you can start adding your spin to Bruno's songs. Try improvising with different chords, or add some extra embellishments to make the music sound more interesting. The sky's the limit when playing the piano, so don't be afraid to experiment.

Final Thoughts

Don't be afraid to go a bit bigger and experiment with different chords and melodies when playing this song. The key is to have fun and let your creative juices flow! Once you get used to the harmony, you can add to your musical accompaniment.

With a bit of practice, you'll be able to name "When I Was Your Man" as your favorite song and play like a pro!

FAQs

What are the exact piano chords for "When I Was Your Man?"

"When I Was Your Man" chords are C, Em, D, G, C, D7, Em, D, G, C.

Is this song easy or hard to play on the piano?

The song has the most common chords but does not have easy chords. It is considered intermediate difficulty because of the number of chords required and the speed at which they must be played. However, with some practice, even beginner piano players should be able to master it and eventually learn how to play more songs.