Rising Sun Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Rising Sun in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Gm – D – Gm – D
How it goes
Rising Sun sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm is G, Bb and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GmiDVGmiDV
- GmG · Bb · D
- DD · F# · A
14 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: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Soft chordsBlock chords · BalladRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 144 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 – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Rising Sun?

The loop is Gm – D – Gm – D (i – V – i – V) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.

What key is Rising Sun in?

G major, at about 144 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Rising Sun?

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 Rising Sun 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.