Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Rivers Of Babylon on piano
Artist unknown
- G major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–V–I–V loop
- Easy
Learn Rivers Of Babylon in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – D – G – D
Rivers Of Babylon sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIDVGIDV- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Springy chords
A quick double skip at the start, then steady chords to the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: G – D – G
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GDG
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Questions about Rivers Of Babylon
What chords are in Rivers Of Babylon?
The loop is G – D – G – D (I – V – I – V) in G major, and the song ends on G – D – G.
What key is Rivers Of Babylon in?
G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Rivers Of Babylon?
Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Rivers Of Babylon 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.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.