Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Oh No, Not My Baby on piano
Written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King
- G major
- 4/4
- 80 BPM
- 1964
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Oh No, Not My Baby in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D7 – G – Am – Em
How it goes
Oh No, Not My Baby sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D7 is D, F#, A and C; G is G, B and D; Am is A, C and E; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
D7V7GIAmiiEmvi- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
How it goes
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 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 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: Am – D7 – G
How it goes
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AmD7G
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Questions about Oh No, Not My Baby
What chords are in Oh No, Not My Baby?
The loop is D7 – G – Am – Em (V7 – I – ii – vi) in G major, and the song ends on Am – D7 – G.
What key is Oh No, Not My Baby in?
G major, at about 80 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Oh No, Not My Baby?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Oh No, Not My Baby 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.