Ventura Highway Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Ventura Highway in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – G – D – G
How it goes
Ventura Highway sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIGIVDIGIV
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
782 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Island zigzag
How it goes
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 302 songs of the library.
Island zigzagBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Gospel-clap chords
How it goes
Skips beat 1, then soulful chords that bounce off the “ands”. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Gospel-clap chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 114 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
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Ventura Highway?

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

What key is Ventura Highway in?

D major, at about 114 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Ventura Highway?

Island zigzag: broken chord 8-12-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Ventura Highway 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.