Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Runnin' Away on piano
By Sly & The Family Stone
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 1971
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Runnin' Away in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Ab – Dm – Bb7
How it goes
Runnin' Away sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Dm is D, F and A; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIAbbVIDmiiBb7bVII7- CC · E · G
- AbAb · C · Eb
- DmD · F · A
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- 2
Left hand: Bouncy-ball heartbeat
How it goes
A low note, then high bounces on every “and”, like a bouncing ball. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 203 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 100 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Runnin' Away
What chords are in Runnin' Away?
The loop is C – Ab – Dm – Bb7 (I – bVI – ii – bVII7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Runnin' Away in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Runnin' Away?
Bouncy-ball heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Runnin' Away 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.