Hello! Below you'll find my "Masterpiece" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Big Thief is very simple to learn - it only has 4 chords in it! It was originally performed on guitars, but sounds great on piano as well.
Enjoy!
Masterpiece Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Masterpiece:
Masterpiece Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| / / C#m | E | E C#m | E | E |
| / / C#m | E | E C#m | E | E |
[Verse 1]
A E B A
Years, days, makes no difference to me babe
E B A
You look exactly the same to me
A E B A
Ain't no time, crossing your legs inside the diner
E B A
Raising your coffee to your lips, the steam
A E B A
Years, days, makes no difference to me babe
E B A
You look exactly the same to me
A E B A
Ain't no time, crossing your legs inside the diner
E B A
Raising your coffee to your lips, the steam
[Chorus 1]
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping her left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping her left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
[Verse 2]
A E B
You whisper to a restless ear
A E B
You whisper to a restless ear
A
"Can you get me out of here?
E B A
This place smells like piss and beer
E B A
This place smells like piss and beer
Can you get me out?"
A E B A
You were asking me, how to get you free
E B A
I only know the recipe to roam
You were asking me, how to get you free
E B A
I only know the recipe to roam
[Chorus 2]
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping her left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping her left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
[Verse 3]
A E B A
Old stars, filling up my throat
E B
You gave them to me when I was born
Old stars, filling up my throat
E B
You gave them to me when I was born
A
Now they're coming out
A E B
Laying there on the hospital bed
A E B
Laying there on the hospital bed
A
Your eyes were narrow, blue and red
E B A
You took a draw of breath and said to me
E B A
You took a draw of breath and said to me
[Chorus 3]
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like me
A E
Wrapping my left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
A E A
You saw the masterpiece, she looks a lot like me
A E
Wrapping my left arm around your right
B C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk you through the night
[Solo]
| A | E | B | A | E | B | A | A |
| A | E | B | A | E | B | A | A |
| A | E | B | A | E | B | A | A |
| A | E | B | A | E | B | A | A |
[Verse 4]
A E B A
Old friends, old mothers, dogs and brothers
E B
There's only so much letting go
A E B A
Old friends, old mothers, dogs and brothers
E B
There's only so much letting go
A
You can ask someone to do
A E B A
So I keep you by my side, I will not give you to the tide
E B A
I'll even walk you in my stride, Marie
A E B A
So I keep you by my side, I will not give you to the tide
E B A
I'll even walk you in my stride, Marie
[Chorus 4]
A E A
'Cause I saw the masterpiece, and she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping your left arm around my right
B C#m E C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk me through the night
A E A
'Cause I saw the masterpiece, and she looks a lot like you
A E
Wrapping your left arm around my right
B C#m E C#m E C#m E
Ready to walk me through the night
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Masterpiece Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Masterpiece" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Masterpiece" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
