How to play We Can Work It Out on piano

Learn We Can Work It Out in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: D – Dsus4 – D – Dsus4
How it goes
We Can Work It Out sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Dsus4 is D, G and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIDsus4Isus4DIDsus4Isus4
- DD · F# · A
- Dsus4D · G · A
83 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
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: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
4
Both hands at 102 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: D – G – D
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DGD
- GG · B · D

What chords are in We Can Work It Out?

The loop is D – Dsus4 – D – Dsus4 (I – Isus – I – Isus) in D major, and the song ends on D – G – D.

What key is We Can Work It Out in?

D major, at about 102 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in We Can Work It Out?

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

Is We Can Work It Out 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.