Slip Slidin’ Away Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Slip Slidin’ Away in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Ab – Eb – Fm – Ab
Slip Slidin’ Away sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIEbVFmviAbI
- AbAb · C · Eb
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
58 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Walking rootsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Double-clap chords
Quick double claps on beats 2 and 4, leaving beats 1 and 3 empty. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Double-clap chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 116 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: Db – Eb – Ab
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbAb
- DbDb · F · Ab

What chords are in Slip Slidin’ Away?

The loop is Ab – Eb – Fm – Ab (I – V – vi – I) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.

What key is Slip Slidin’ Away in?

Ab major, at about 116 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Slip Slidin’ Away?

Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Slip Slidin’ 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.