How to Play Slow Dancing in a Burning Room on Piano (John Mayer)

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room is in E major and is built mainly on C#m, A and E for the hook and verse, with B, C#m and F#m in the pre-chorus and bridge; the chords often change on the offbeat, and they should be voiced close together.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 11 min

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In this lesson Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music shows how to play John Mayer's Slow Dancing in a Burning Room on the piano. You will learn which chords the song uses, how its sections are laid out, the offbeat feel of the chord changes and how to play the famous guitar hook on the keys. It suits pianists who already know basic major and minor triads and want to accompany a singer or band.

Start with the chords of E major

The whole song is in E major, so the chords come from the E major scale. Before you play, list what is available:

• Major chords: I = E (E G# B), IV = A (A C# E), V = B (B D# F#)
• Minor chords: ii = F#m (F# A C#), iii = G#m (G# B D#), vi = C#m (C# E G#)
• Diminished: vii° = D#dim, which is rarely used in a pop song like this

The song's sections

The song has a few parts: the guitar hook, which works almost like the chorus; the verse, which uses the same chords as the hook; a pre-chorus that builds anticipation; and a bridge. Guitar solos go back over the hook and verse chords. Map the structure before you play: the verse comes round many times, the pre-chorus is played twice, and then the song returns to the hook.

Hook and verse: C#m, A, E

The main progression is C#m, A and E. Several changes land on the offbeat, the and of beat 2 rather than on a main beat. Count one and two and three and four, and move to the new chord on the and after two. Getting this push right is what makes the groove feel like the record.

Ways to play the pattern

The original track has no real piano part, so you have freedom. Jason shows three options:

1. Hold the chords. Strike each chord and let it ring while you count.
2. Play on every beat. Repeat the chord on each beat, either ignoring the offbeat or including it. On the A and E you may prefer to simply hold.
3. Left-hand eighth notes. Play the root in octaves in the left hand and pulse eighth notes very softly with the thumb, so they are barely heard.

Whichever you choose, do not play the offbeat too stiffly or rhythmically; keep it relaxed.

Pre-chorus

The pre-chorus starts on B and moves through C#m and A, then returns to B and goes to C#m and F#m, before closing the phrase back on the hook chords. Again, some changes fall on the offbeat.

Bridge

The bridge moves between F#m and C#m and goes to B, finishing with B major leading back to E. The same offbeat idea applies: one chord on the beat, the next pushed to the and.

Keep your voicings close

Choose where to play C#m, then place the other chords as near to it as you can using inversions. Jumping around the keyboard sounds messy and distracts listeners from the singer. In the bridge, for example, keep F#m, C#m and B close together.

The guitar hook on piano

The memorable hook is a guitar line, but you can play it on piano. Jason splits it into two lines and plays it in the right hand, then repeats it a little higher. Underneath, the left hand plays the same C#m, A and E chords as the rest of the song.

How to practise

• Learn the chord list in E major first.
• Practise one section at a time: hook and verse, pre-chorus, bridge, then the melody.
• Count aloud so the offbeat changes feel natural.
• Gradually join the sections and build up to the whole song.

Questions about this lesson

What key is Slow Dancing in a Burning Room in?

The song is in E major. Its chords come from the E major scale: E, A and B major, plus F#m, G#m and C#m.

What are the main chords of Slow Dancing in a Burning Room?

The hook and verse use C#m, A and E. The pre-chorus adds B and F#m, and the bridge moves between F#m, C#m and B.

Why does the rhythm feel pushed in this song?

Several chord changes happen on the offbeat, the and after beat 2, rather than on a main beat. Count one and two and to place them accurately, but keep the feel relaxed.

How should I play the chords on piano since there is no piano on the record?

You can hold each chord, repeat it on every beat, or pulse soft eighth-note octaves on the root in the left hand. Whatever you choose, keep the voicings close together.

Practise it

• Pop LessonsPractice companions for Jason Zac’s pop piano lessons: octave fillers, chord changes and inversions in every key.
• Voicing RoomA hands-on lesson room for piano chord voicings.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

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