Other arrangements of River
Pick a learning view.
It’s (Dm)com in’ on (C)Christ mas, they’re (Dm)cut ting down (C)trees.
They’re (Dm)put ting up rein deer and sing in’ (Dm)songs of joy and peace.
Oh, I (Am)wish I had a riv (Em7)er
I could skate a way on.
But (Dm)it don’t snow here, it (Dm)stays pret ty green.
I’m gon na (Dm)make a lot ta mon ey then I’m gon na quit (Dm)this cra
zy scene.
I wish I had a riv (Em7)er
I could skate (G)a way on.
I (F)wish I had a riv er so long
I would teach my feet to
fly.
Oh, I (C)wish I had a riv er
I could skate a way
on.
I made my ba by cry.
He (Dm)tried hard to (C)me you know, he (Dm)put me at
And he (Dm)loved me so naugh ty made me (Dm)weak in the (C)knees.
Oh, I wish I had (Am)a riv
But (Dm)I’m so hard hand le, I’m (Dm)sel fish and I’m (C)sad.
Now I’ve gone and (Dm)lost the best ba by that I ev er Oh, I wish had a riv
I (F)wish I had a riv er so long
I would teach my feet to
fly.
Oh, I (C)wish I had a riv er
I could skate a way on.
I made my ba by cry.
He
Oh, I wish I had a riv er
I could skate a way on.
I made my ba by (C)say good bye.
It’s (Dm)com ing on (C)Christ mas, they’re (Dm)cut ting down (C)trees.
They’re (Dm)put ting up rein deer, sing ing songs of joy (C)and peace.
I wish I had a riv er
I could skate
a way
on.
River — Piano Accompaniment Track
3 people have learned this song
Free piano accompaniment for "River" by Joni Mitchell. Sing along or play your instrument over the backing piano. Toggle the vocal melody on/off, change key to fit your voice, adjust tempo. Key of C, 100 BPM.
Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (C) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.
Try other practice modes:
About “River”
- How do the bar-notation visuals help sing "River" with this backing?
- Each chord change drops as a colored bar across the staff, scrolling in real time so you can see exactly when the harmony shifts. Helpful for hitting entrances and judging when to breathe — especially on phrases that don't begin on beat 1 of "River".
- What key is the piano accompaniment for "River" by Joni Mitchell in?
- The backing track is in C at 100 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
- Can I sing over "River" with this accompaniment?
- Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
- Is this a karaoke version of "River"?
- Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "River", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
- Can I use "River" as a backing track for my instrument?
- Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
- Can I download the accompaniment for "River"?
- Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
- Who wrote "River"?
- "River" was originally performed by Joni Mitchell. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
- What other backing tracks by Joni Mitchell are available?
- Other accompaniments by Joni Mitchell: "Blue", "Both Sides Now". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
- How do I use "River" as a backing track?
- Just press play — the piano accompaniment runs from start to end, no vocals. Sing, hum, or play your own instrument over it. Use the mic icon to add a vocal melody as a pitch reference, and the speed control if you want a slower practice tempo.
- Can I change the key of "River" to fit my voice?
- Yes — the original is in C, but the player has a live transpose control so you can shift up or down semitones until the melody sits in your vocal range. The piano accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.