Root Down Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Root Down in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: F – Am – G – C
Root Down sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVAmviGVCI
- FF · A · C
- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
19 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
Oom-pah-pahWaltz · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Chattering waltz
After the first beat, quick chords and notes chatter to the end of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Chattering waltzSyncopated chords · WaltzRight handMedium
4
Both hands at 160 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: Dm – G7 – C
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F

What chords are in Root Down?

The loop is F – Am – G – C (IV – vi – V – I) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.

What key is Root Down in?

C major, at about 160 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Root Down?

Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Root Down easy to play on piano?

It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.