Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play How Important Can It Be on piano
By Joni James
- C major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1955
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn How Important Can It Be in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C7 – F – G7
How it goes
How Important Can It Be sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIC7I7FIVG7V7- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
How it goes
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 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: Dm – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DmG7C- DmD · F · A
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Questions about How Important Can It Be
What chords are in How Important Can It Be?
The loop is C – C7 – F – G7 (I – I7 – IV – V7) in C major, and the song ends on Dm – G7 – C.
What key is How Important Can It Be in?
C major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in How Important Can It Be?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is How Important Can It Be 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.