River Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn River in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – G – Fmaj7 – Fmaj7
River sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Fmaj7 is F, A, C and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVFmaj7IVmaj7Fmaj7IVmaj7
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- Fmaj7F · A · C · E
52 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Gentle rocking
Root, fifth, octave, fifth: the gentle rocking under countless pop ballads. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 696 songs of the library.
Gentle rockingBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 88 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C

What chords are in River?

The loop is C – G – Fmaj7 – Fmaj7 (I – V – IVmaj7 – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is River in?

C major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in River?

Gentle rocking: broken chord 1-5-8-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is River 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.

Can I hear the real melody of River?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the repeating figure of the song from a score, with both hands.