Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Harlem River Blues on piano
By Justin Townes Earle
- G major
- 2/2
- 156 BPM
- I–IV–I–V loop
- 1989
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Harlem River Blues in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – C – G – D
How it goes
Harlem River Blues sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GICIVGIDV- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
How it goes
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: Push chords
How it goes
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 156 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: G – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GDG
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Questions about Harlem River Blues
What chords are in Harlem River Blues?
The loop is G – C – G – D (I – IV – I – V) in G major, and the song ends on G – D – G.
What key is Harlem River Blues in?
G major, at about 156 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Harlem River Blues?
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 Harlem River Blues 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.