Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play Let It Rain on piano
Written by Eric Clapton & Bonnie Bramlett
- D major
- 4/4
- 115 BPM
- IV–V–IV–V loop
- 1970
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Let It Rain in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – A – G – A
How it goes
Let It Rain sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVAVGIVAV- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Heartbeat octaves
How it goes
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. Musicians call it rocking octaves (rocking octaves), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 115 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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Let It Rain
What chords are in Let It Rain?
The loop is G – A – G – A (IV – V – IV – V) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.
What key is Let It Rain in?
D major, at about 115 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Let It Rain?
Heartbeat octaves: rocking octaves, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Let It Rain 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.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.