Let The River Run Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Let The River Run in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – F – C – Am
How it goes
Let The River Run sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C; Am is A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIFIVCIAmvi
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- AmA · C · E
26 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Rush-and-step pulse
How it goes
Three quick notes tumble out, a pause, then one high step on beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 157 songs of the library.
Rush-and-step pulseRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wake-and-run chords
How it goes
One long chord, then three quick ones running into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wake-and-run chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 72 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 – Dm – C
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDmC
- DmD · F · A

What chords are in Let The River Run?

The loop is C – F – C – Am (I – IV – I – vi) in C major, and the song ends on C – Dm – C.

What key is Let The River Run in?

C major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Let The River Run?

Rush-and-step pulse: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Let The River Run 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.