How to play Rip This Joint on piano

Learn Rip This Joint in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – A – D – A
How it goes
Rip This Joint sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is 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.
DIAVDIAV
- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Push chords
How it goes
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Push chordsSyncopated chords · RockRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 150 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: D – G – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DGD
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Rip This Joint?

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

What key is Rip This Joint in?

D major, at about 150 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Rip This Joint?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Rip This Joint 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.