Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Down In The Boondocks on piano
By Billy Joe Royal
- G major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- ii–V7–ii–V7 loop
- Easy
Learn Down In The Boondocks in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – D7 – Am – D7
Down In The Boondocks sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiiD7V7AmiiD7V7- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Skip-and-stroll chords
A skippy push at the start, then calm chords on 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: C – D – G
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Down In The Boondocks
What chords are in Down In The Boondocks?
The loop is Am – D7 – Am – D7 (ii – V7 – ii – V7) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Down In The Boondocks in?
G major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Down In The Boondocks?
Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Down In The Boondocks 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.