Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play 21 Moon Water on piano
Written by Justin Vernon & Sean Carey
- G major
- 4/4
- 56 BPM
- IV–vi–V–IV loop
- 2016
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn 21 Moon Water in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Em – D – C
How it goes
21 Moon Water sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Em is E, G and B; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIVEmviDVCIV- CC · E · G
- EmE · G · B
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Power fifths
How it goes
Root and fifth together: big and bold. Musicians call it lh power fifths (left-hand chords), a medium 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 56 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- GG · B · D
Play next
Questions about 21 Moon Water
What chords are in 21 Moon Water?
The loop is C – Em – D – C (IV – vi – V – IV) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is 21 Moon Water in?
G major, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in 21 Moon Water?
Power fifths: lh power fifths, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is 21 Moon Water easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.