Down By The River Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Down By The River in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Em – A – Em – A
How it goes
Down By The River sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiiAVEmiiAV
- EmE · G · B
- AA · C# · E
33 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Lazy footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 90 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
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Down By The River?

The loop is Em – A – Em – A (ii – V – ii – V) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is Down By The River in?

D major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Down By The River?

Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Down By The River 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.