River Deep, Mountain High Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn River Deep, Mountain High in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Ebsus4 – Eb – Ebsus4 – Eb
How it goes
River Deep, Mountain High sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ebsus4 is Eb, Ab and Bb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Ebsus4Isus4EbIEbsus4Isus4EbI
- Ebsus4Eb · Ab · Bb
- EbEb · G · Bb
37 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
How it goes
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Bossa swayRoot bass rhythm · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords
How it goes
Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wait-a-beat chordsBlock 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: Ab – Bb – Eb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbEb
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F

What chords are in River Deep, Mountain High?

The loop is Ebsus4 – Eb – Ebsus4 – Eb (Isus – I – Isus – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Eb.

What key is River Deep, Mountain High in?

Eb major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in River Deep, Mountain High?

Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is River Deep, Mountain High 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.

Can I hear the real melody of River Deep, Mountain High?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.