Leavin’ Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Leavin’ in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: A – F#m – E – D
Leavin’ sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A is A, C# and E; F#m is F#, A and C#; E is E, G# and B; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AIF#mviEVDIV
- AA · C# · E
- F#mF# · A · C#
- EE · G# · B
- DD · F# · A
42 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Hiccup heartbeat
A tiny hiccup just before beat 3, then a push on the “and”. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 121 songs of the library.
Hiccup heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Run-up chords
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Run-up chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 78 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: E – D – A
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EDA

What chords are in Leavin’?

The loop is A – F#m – E – D (I – vi – V – IV) in A major, and the song ends on E – D – A.

What key is Leavin’ in?

A major, at about 78 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Leavin’?

Hiccup heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2a · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Leavin’ 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.