River by Leon Bridges
Key: G# · 117 BPM · 4/4
River by Leon Bridges is written in Ab major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 7-chord loop — Ab-Db-Ab-Db-Bbm-Ab-Bbm — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 117 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.
The progression
This song cycles a 7-chord progression in Ab major: Ab-Db-Ab-Db-Bbm-Ab-Bbm. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| Capo 1 | G | G-C-Am |
| Capo 4 | E | E-A-F#m |
| Capo 6 | D | D-G-Em |
Chord chart
- 0:00 Ab
- 0:09 Db
- 0:18 Ab
- 0:26 Db
- 0:34 Ab
- 0:42 Db
- 0:52 Ab
- 0:59 Db
- 1:07 Ab
- 1:16 Db
- 1:23 Bbm
- 1:32 Ab
- 1:41 Bbm
- 1:49 Ab
- 2:05 Db
- 2:14 Ab
- 2:22 Db
- 2:30 Bbm
- 2:39 Ab
- 2:47 Bbm
- 2:55 Ab
- 3:11 Db
- 3:19 Ab
- 3:29 Db
- 3:36 Bbm
- 3:44 Ab
- 3:52 Bbm
- 4:02 Ab
Frequently asked questions
What key is River in?
River is in Ab major.
What chords does River use?
The core of River cycles through Ab, Db, Bbm (3 chords).
What is the tempo of River?
River runs at 117 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does River use?
River doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 7-chord loop: Ab-Db-Ab-Db-Bbm-Ab-Bbm.
What capo should I use for River?
Capo 1 and play G major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Ab major.