How to play Run For Your Life on piano

Learn Run For Your Life in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – Bm – D – Bm
How it goes
Run For Your Life sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Bm is B, D and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIBmviDIBmvi
- DD · F# · A
- BmB · D · F#
135 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Boom-chick
How it goes
Bass, chord, bass, chord: the bounce of ragtime and country. Musicians call it boom-chick (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 762 songs of the library.
Boom-chickStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Peekaboo chords
How it goes
A chord on 2, then two surprises popping up between the beats. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Peekaboo chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 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 – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Run For Your Life?

The loop is D – Bm – D – Bm (I – vi – I – vi) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is Run For Your Life in?

D major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Run For Your Life?

Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Run For Your Life 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.