Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Can U Handle It? on piano
Written by Usher Raymond, Robert Daniels & others
- A minor
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- i–v–iv–i loop
- 2004
- Easy
Learn Can U Handle It? in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – Em – Dm – Am
Can U Handle It? sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; Em is E, G and B; Dm is D, F and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiEmvDmivAmi- AmA · C · E
- EmE · G · B
- DmD · F · A
- 2
Left hand: Tiptoe heartbeat
One firm note, then three tiptoe steps between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 245 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 72 BPM
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: F – G – Am
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Can U Handle It?
What chords are in Can U Handle It??
The loop is Am – Em – Dm – Am (i – v – iv – i) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.
What key is Can U Handle It? in?
A minor, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Can U Handle It??
Tiptoe heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Can U Handle It? 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.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.