Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Going Down Slow on piano
Written by J.B. Oden
- G major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- IV7–I7–IV7–I7 loop
- 1942
- Easy
Learn Going Down Slow in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – G7 – C7 – G7
Going Down Slow sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7IV7G7I7C7IV7G7I7- C7C · E · G · Bb
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Little-hill climb
Up the chord three steps, then a jump back to the starting note. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5-1 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 159 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 80 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 Going Down Slow
What chords are in Going Down Slow?
The loop is C7 – G7 – C7 – G7 (IV7 – I7 – IV7 – I7) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Going Down Slow in?
G major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Going Down Slow?
Little-hill climb: broken chord 1-3-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Going Down Slow 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.