Reuben James Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Reuben James in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: E – B7 – E – A
Reuben James sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; B7 is B, D#, F# and A; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIB7V7EIAIV
- EE · G# · B
- B7B · D# · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
69 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Trampoline bounce
Root, a jump up, a dip down, a jump up: a country-style bounce. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5-12 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 257 songs of the library.
Trampoline bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
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 140 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 – E
The last chords are I – bVII – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EDE
- DD · F# · A

What chords are in Reuben James?

The loop is E – B7 – E – A (I – V7 – I – IV) in E major, and the song ends on E – D – E.

What key is Reuben James in?

E major, at about 140 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Reuben James?

Trampoline bounce: broken chord 8-12-5-12, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Reuben James 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.