Piano chords · Lullaby boat
How to play I’ve Gotta Be Me on piano
Written by Walter Marks
- C major
- 6/8
- 126 BPM
- ii–V7–I–IV loop
- 1967
- Medium
Learn I’ve Gotta Be Me in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – G7 – C – F
I’ve Gotta Be Me sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiG7V7CIFIV- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Swelling 6/8
Rises to the top and falls back in one rocking six-note wave. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-8-10-8-5 (6/8) (open arpeggio), a medium pattern heard in 73 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pendulum swing
One note ticking on every quick beat, rocking in two big swings. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 126 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 – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- GG · B · D
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Questions about I’ve Gotta Be Me
What chords are in I’ve Gotta Be Me?
The loop is Dm – G7 – C – F (ii – V7 – I – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is I’ve Gotta Be Me in?
C major, at about 126 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in I’ve Gotta Be Me?
Swelling 6/8: open arpeggio 1-5-8-10-8-5 (6/8), a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is I’ve Gotta Be Me easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.