I See A River Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn I See A River in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – D – Em – D
How it goes
I See A River sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVDIEmiiDI
- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- EmE · G · B
53 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Double-step climb
How it goes
Two beats on the root, two on the next chord note up: simple and steady. Musicians call it broken chord 1-1-3-3 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 284 songs of the library.
Double-step climbBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 80 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 – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in I See A River?

The loop is G – D – Em – D (IV – I – ii – I) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is I See A River in?

D major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in I See A River?

Double-step climb: broken chord 1-1-3-3, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is I See A River 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.