Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
We Can Work It Out: piano accompaniment sheet music
Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
- D major
- 4/4
- 102 BPM
- I–Isus–I–Isus loop
- 1965
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
We Can Work It Out written out as piano music: the I – Isus – I – Isus loop in D major for both hands, with chord names and finger numbers. Press play and follow the cursor. The left hand plays walking roots (root bass · quarters), and the right hand sings the tune.
We Can Work It Out chord chart
The loop once round, bar by bar, in D major. The roman numeral says the chord's place in the key, so the same chart works in any key.
| Bar | Chord | Numeral | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | I | D F# A |
| 2 | Dsus4 | Isus4 | D G A |
| 3 | D | I | D F# A |
| 4 | Dsus4 | Isus4 | D G A |
What the sheet music shows
The grand staff: the right hand on the treble staff, the left hand on the bass staff, with the chord names above and a finger number on each note (1 is the thumb). It is the accompaniment: walking roots (root bass · quarters) in the left hand, with the right hand free for the melody, over the D – Dsus4 – D – Dsus4 chords.
Press play and a cursor follows the music. Above it, Colours paints each note in its key’s colour and Note names writes its letter on its head.
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Questions about We Can Work It Out
Does the sheet music for We Can Work It Out have finger numbers?
Yes: every note of both hands has its finger number, 1 being the thumb. To read the notes alone, turn Fingers off above the music.
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.
Made from 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.