Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play American Ride on piano
Written by Joe West & Dave Pahanish
- A major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- V–IV–I–V loop
- 2009
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn American Ride in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: E – D – A – E
How it goes
American Ride sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EVDIVAIEV- EE · G# · B
- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
- 2
Left hand: Pausing footsteps
How it goes
Three even steps, then a quiet beat to breathe. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
How it goes
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: D – E – A
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA
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Questions about American Ride
What chords are in American Ride?
The loop is E – D – A – E (V – IV – I – V) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.
What key is American Ride in?
A major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in American Ride?
Pausing footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is American Ride 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.