How to Practice Mia & Sebastian's Theme on Piano
Justin Hurwitz
About this piece
The jazzy, bittersweet theme from La La Land that captures the magic and melancholy of Hollywood romance. The piece features stride-like left-hand jumps and a lyrical melody that requires careful rubato.
Practice tips
- The left-hand stride pattern jumps between low bass notes and mid-range chords — practice these jumps slowly, aiming for the chord cluster as a shape rather than individual notes.
- The A section melody has jazz-influenced chromatic passing tones — give these chromatic notes a lighter touch so they sound like graceful decorations, not clumsy wrong notes.
- The climactic waltz section requires a tempo shift and a sudden increase in grandeur — practice the transition bar between the main theme and the waltz as a separate unit.
Common mistake
Playing the stride left hand too loudly, making it sound like a bass solo rather than an accompaniment — the bass notes should ground the harmony while staying well below the melody.
How long to learn
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Mia & Sebastian's Theme to play on piano?
Mia & Sebastian's Theme is rated Intermediate. The jazzy, bittersweet theme from La La Land that captures the magic and melancholy of Hollywood romance.
How long does it take to learn Mia & Sebastian's Theme?
For a beginner, expect 6-8 weeks. An intermediate player can learn it in 2-3 weeks.
What key is Mia & Sebastian's Theme in?
Mia & Sebastian's Theme is in A major, typically performed at around 120 BPM.
What's the most common mistake when learning Mia & Sebastian's Theme?
Playing the stride left hand too loudly, making it sound like a bass solo rather than an accompaniment — the bass notes should ground the harmony while staying well below the melody.
Ready to practice Mia & Sebastian's Theme?
Upload your sheet music and start learning — at your tempo, hands separately, looping the hard parts.
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