What key is "River" in?

"River" by Josh Groban is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 75 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "River" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "River" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "River"?

This arrangement of "River" uses 12 chords: Ab, Absus4, Bbm, C7, Cm, Cm7, Db, Dbsus2, +4 more.

How long does it take to learn "River" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Josh Groban can I play here?

Try "YOU RAISE ME UP", "FEBRUARY SONG", "HIGHER WINDOW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Some days I can’t say why I’m feel ing lone ly,

and some days I am too proud to ask for help.

And I stum ble through the noise,

(Db)try ing to find some peace, a (Bbm)stran ger in the crowd, I lose my (Ebsus)self.

So I walk (Fm)down to (Eb)the (Ab)riv er, where the (Db)trou bles, they can’t find me.

Let the (Db)wa ters there re mind me the sun will be there when we wake.

I walk (Db)down to the (Fm)riv er, though I might not un der stand it, it’s not (Db)al ways as we planned it, but we grow strong er when we break.

So I walk (Fm)down

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

down

to the (Ab)riv er.

This rag ing world can get so o ver whelm ing,

(Fm)look ing for a mean ing when it (Db)won’t make sense.

In my head it’s get ting loud,

like I can’t out run this cloud, no (Bbm)mat ter where I go, there I am.

So I walk (Fm)down to the (Ab)riv er, where the (Db)trou bles, they can’t find me.

Let the (Db)wa ters there re mind me the sun will be there when we wake.

I walk (Db)down to the (Fm)riv er, though I might not un der stand it, it’s not (Db)al ways as we planned it, but we grow strong er when we break.

So I walk (Fm)down

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

down

to the (Ab)riv er.

Let the (Ebm)calm put me un der, (Bbm)far be yond the thun der, and (Absus)tell me it will (Ab)all be o kay.

And let the (Ebm)waves take all my wor ries, (Bbm)con quer them with fu ry, give me (Ab)shel ter, be my es cape.

I walk (Fm)down to (Eb)the (Ab)riv er, where the (Db)trou bles, they can’t find me.

Let the (Db)wa ters there re mind me the sun will be there when we wake.

I walk (Db)down to the (Fm)riv er, though I might not un der stand it, it’s not al ways as we planned it, but we grow strong er when we break.

So I walk down

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

down

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

(Db)down

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

down

to the (Ab)riv er, (Eb)to the riv er,

to the (Ab)riv er,

I walk

(Db)down,

(Ab)whoa,

to the (C7)riv er,

(Ab)whoa,

(Ab)whoa.

River by Josh Groban

11 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 75 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗

About “River”

What key is "River" in?: "River" by Josh Groban is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 75 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "River" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "River" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "River"?: This arrangement of "River" uses 12 chords: Ab, Absus4, Bbm, C7, Cm, Cm7, Db, Dbsus2, +4 more.
How long does it take to learn "River" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Josh Groban can I play here?: Try "YOU RAISE ME UP", "FEBRUARY SONG", "HIGHER WINDOW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.