Peace Train Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Peace Train in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: F – G – Am – F
How it goes
Peace Train sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVGVAmviFIV
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
55 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island pulse
How it goes
Three, three, two: the island rhythm in so many pop hits. Musicians call it root bass · tresillo 3-3-2 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Island pulseRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pop stabs
How it goes
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pop stabsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: Am – F – C
How it goes
The last chords are vi – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AmFC
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Peace Train?

The loop is F – G – Am – F (IV – V – vi – IV) in C major, and the song ends on Am – F – C.

What key is Peace Train in?

C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Peace Train?

Island pulse: root bass · tresillo 3-3-2, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Peace Train easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.