Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Sleigh Ride on piano
By Leroy Anderson
- G major
- 5/4
- 160 BPM
- 1948
- Easy
Learn Sleigh Ride in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Am – G – D7
Sleigh Ride sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIAmiiGID7V7- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Boom-chick
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.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: D – C – G
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DCG- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Sleigh Ride
What chords are in Sleigh Ride?
The loop is G – Am – G – D7 (I – ii – I – V7) in G major, and the song ends on D – C – G.
What key is Sleigh Ride in?
G major, at about 160 beats a minute in 5/4.
What does the left hand play in Sleigh Ride?
Boom-chick: boom-chick, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Sleigh Ride 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Sleigh Ride?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 10 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.