Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Sail Away on piano
Written by Rafe Van Hoy
- D major
- 2/2
- 72 BPM
- IV–I–IV–I loop
- 1976
- Easy
Learn Sail Away 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
Sail Away sits in D major: D 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.
GIVDIGIVDI- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- 2
Left hand: Double-tap drop
The same note twice, long then short, then a drop to a lower note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Heartbeat chords
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 72 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: D – G – D
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DGD
Play next
Questions about Sail Away
What chords are in Sail Away?
The loop is G – D – G – D (IV – I – IV – I) in D major, and the song ends on D – G – D.
What key is Sail Away in?
D major, at about 72 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Sail Away?
Double-tap drop: broken chord 8-8-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sail 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.