America Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn America in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Dm – Bb – Gm
America sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; Bb is Bb, D and F; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIDmviBbIVGmii
- FF · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- BbBb · D · F
- GmG · Bb · D
20 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa sway
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: Freeze-tag chords
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Freeze-tag chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 132 BPM
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: Bb – C – F
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF
- CC · E · G

What chords are in America?

The loop is F – Dm – Bb – Gm (I – vi – IV – ii) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.

What key is America in?

F major, at about 132 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in America?

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 America 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 America?

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