Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Roving Kind on piano
Written by Jesse Cavanaugh & Arnold Stanton
- G major
- 2/2
- 156 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- 1950
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Roving Kind in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D7 – G – D7 – G
How it goes
Roving Kind sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
D7V7GID7V7GI- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Over-the-hill
How it goes
A jump up to the top, then down through the chord to home. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-3-1 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 204 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 156 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: G – D7 – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GD7G
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Questions about Roving Kind
What chords are in Roving Kind?
The loop is D7 – G – D7 – G (V7 – I – V7 – I) in G major, and the song ends on G – D7 – G.
What key is Roving Kind in?
G major, at about 156 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Roving Kind?
Over-the-hill: broken chord 1-5-3-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Roving Kind 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 one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.