Nathaniel School of Music

How to Play Zombie on Piano (The Cranberries): Power Chords and Bass Rhythm

Zombie by The Cranberries loops the vi–IV–I–V progression in E minor, Em, C, G and D/F#, which you can play on piano with the chords in the right hand and a steady eighth-note bass in the left.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 5 min

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Key points

This lesson from Jason Zac at Nathaniel School of Music shows you how to play the chord pattern of Zombie by The Cranberries on piano. It suits beginners who know basic major and minor triads. The progression is among the most common in pop and rock, so once you have it, you can play a huge number of other songs too.

The progression in Roman numerals

The song uses the progression vi – IV – I – V (six, four, one, five), repeated over and over. Writing it in Roman numerals lets you use it in any key.

It is a cyclic progression, meaning it loops. It could start on any chord: vi–IV–I–V, I–V–vi–IV or IV–I–V–vi are all the same cycle. These rotations sit underneath a large share of chart music.

Finding the chords in G major

The original is in E minor, the relative minor of G major. Both share the same notes. To work out the chords:

  1. Write out the G major scale: G A B C D E F#. It has seven notes and one sharp, F#.
  2. In a major scale, chords ii, iii and vi are minor. In G major these are Am, Bm and Em.
  3. Chords I, IV and V are major. In G major these are G, C and D.
  4. The sixth note is E, so the vi chord is E minor.

That gives you the Zombie loop:

Each chord lasts about one bar before the loop starts again.

The D/F# slash chord

The V chord is played with its third in the bass. D major is D F# A, so the bass note is F#, its third. This makes the chord sound a little more tense and dissonant, which suits a rock song.

On piano, play the D chord in the right hand and the F# in the left hand.

Power chords for a heavier sound

Guitarists, especially heavier players, often use power chords here. A power chord is just the root, the fifth and the octave, with no third. For example:

Because there is no third, the sound is bolder and more neutral. It gives a thicker, rockier texture.

Left-hand bass rhythm

For a driving accompaniment, keep a steady eighth-note bass in the left hand. That means two even bass notes per beat, all the way through each bar.

There are a few ways to shape the bass:

The pre-chorus and chorus use the same chord loop. Once the pattern is steady, you can carry it through the whole song.

How to practise

  1. Play the four chords slowly in the right hand until the changes feel easy.
  2. Add the left-hand root notes, making sure the F# goes under the D chord.
  3. Switch the left hand to steady eighth notes on each root.
  4. Add the step up at the end of each bar, first with one finger and then in octaves.
  5. Try the power-chord version for a heavier feel.
  6. Look up other songs that use vi–IV–I–V and play them with the same chords but a different rhythm.

Questions about this lesson

What are the chords to Zombie by The Cranberries?

The song loops E minor, C major, G major and D major with F# in the bass (D/F#). In Roman numerals this is vi–IV–I–V in G major, or its relative minor, E minor.

What does D/F# mean and how do I play it on piano?

D/F# is a D major chord (D F# A) with its third, F#, as the bass note. Play the D chord in your right hand and an F# in your left hand.

What left-hand pattern works for Zombie on piano?

Play a steady eighth-note bass on the root of each chord. For more movement, step up at the end of each bar, using octaves or a single finger.

Why is vi–IV–I–V called a cyclic progression?

It loops continuously, so you can start it on any chord, such as I–V–vi–IV or IV–I–V–vi. These rotations sound like the same progression and appear in a huge number of pop songs.

Practise it

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