Homeward Bound Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Homeward Bound in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Dm – C – Bb – C – Dm – C – Bb
How it goes
Homeward Bound sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: C is C, E and G; Dm is D, F and A; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIDmiiCIBbbVIICIDmiiCIBbbVII
- CC · E · G
- DmD · F · A
- BbBb · D · F
53 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy seesaw
How it goes
A low note, a higher one, a gap, then the higher one again. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 520 songs of the library.
Lazy seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Hopscotch bellsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
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: C – F – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CFC
- FF · A · C

What chords are in Homeward Bound?

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

What key is Homeward Bound in?

C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Homeward Bound?

Lazy seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Homeward Bound easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Homeward Bound?

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