"Grenade" by Bruno Mars can be played using a combination of only a few chords: A major, D minor, B flat, F and C.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=521
"Grenade" is a single off of Bruno Mars' debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans.http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/bruno-mars/discography/albums/1054629 The song peaked at number one on Billboard's Pop Chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.http://www.billboard.com/song/bruno-mars/grenade/22662347#/song/bruno-mars/grenade/22662347 It was the follow-up single to Mars' song "Just the Way You Are."http://www.billboard.com/artist/bruno-mars/chart-history/1054629#/artist/bruno-mars/chart-history/1054629
Mars was nominated for six Grammys at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. He recieved nominations for his song "Just the Way You Are" as well as his collaboration with B.o.B. on the track "Nothin' On You." Mars took home the award for Best Pop Vocal Performance for "Just the Way You Are." He was also nominated as a producer and writer for Cee Lo Green's song "F*** You".http://www.grammy.com/nominees
How to Play Grenade by Bruno Mars on Piano Videos
Pianist, Lindsey Cloud demonstrates how to play "Grenade" by Bruno Mars on the piano. Lindsey walks you through each section of the song from introduction to the verses and chorus, giving you a step-by-step guide on how to play "Grenade"by Bruno Mars.
Step 1: Learn the Chords and Notes for the Song
"Grenade" is broken up into two major sections: the verse riff and the chorus. The verse is played by striking the notes F, D, A, E and C in a repeating pattern. The pattern is F, D, A, F, D, A, F, D and then E, C, A, E, C, A, E, C. This pattern repeats until you are ready to move to the chorus. Keep your hands spread wide to make transitioning from one set of notes to the next easier.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=521
For the song's chorus, you will need to know the following chords: A major, D minor, A minor, B flat, F and C.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=521
A major: Create the A major chord by playing an A, C# and E using the thumb, middle finger and pinky of your right hand. Accompany the chord with an A in the bass octave.
D minor: The D minor chord is formed by the notes D, F, and A. Use your right hand to play these notes while you pulse the D note with your left hand in the bass octave.
A minor: The next chord is an A minor, formed by the notes A, C, and E using your right hand.
B flat: The B flat chord is formed by using the notes B flat, D and F. Use the thumb, middle finger and pinky of your right hand to form this chord.
F: To create the F chord, play the C, F, and A notes using your right hand.
C: The C chord is created by playing the notes C, E, and G with your right hand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=521
Step 2: Learn the Chord Progression
Learn how the notes and chords fit together in a natural order: introduction, verse, then chorus. To play the introduction, simply follow the pattern with your write hand: F, D, A, F, D, A, F, D and then E, C, A, E, C, A, E, C. Begin right on the downbeat with the words "Easy come, easy go" and transition to the second pattern on the lyrics "Take, take, take it all."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=187
From the introduction, go right into the A major chord. Transition into D minor and use your left hand to pulse the D note in the bass octave. From there, play the A minor chord, also pulsing the A note in the bass. Return to the D chord and then transition to the B flat chord. Return to the A major chord.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=187
The next sequence, beginning with the lyrics "I'd catch a grenade for you" begins with D minor, then moves to B flat. Transition to the F chord and then the C chord. You can pulse each chord twice to add variety to the song.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=187
Step 3: Incorporate the Lyrics
Once you are comfortable with the chord progression and moving from one chord to the next, you can add words to your performance. Start slowly as you incorporate the lyrics of the song, adding speed as you feel comfortable. Pay attention to how the chord transitions correspond with the words you are singing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCackX4rS4&feature=player_embedded#at=187
References
How to Play Grenade by Bruno Mars on Piano Tips
- Learn the chords necessary to play the song. For "Grenade," you will need: A major, D minor, A minor, B flat, F, and C.
- Start off practicing slow and work your way up to the fast tempo.
- Learn the song in gradual order: intro, verse, chorus
- Anticipate your next notes and position your hands accordingly
- Wait to incorporate the lyrics until you are comfortable with the chord progression.
