Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play What Does It Take on piano
Written by John Bristol, Vernon Bullock & others
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 112 BPM
- I–ii–I–ii loop
- 1968
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn What Does It Take in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – Cm – Bb – Cm
How it goes
What Does It Take sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbICmiiBbICmii- BbBb · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
- 2
Left hand: Double-tap drop
How it goes
The same note twice, long then short, then a drop to a lower note. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 336 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Push chords
How it goes
Two quick chords and a push just before beat 3, then space. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 112 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: Eb – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb- EbEb · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
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Questions about What Does It Take
What chords are in What Does It Take?
The loop is Bb – Cm – Bb – Cm (I – ii – I – ii) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.
What key is What Does It Take in?
Bb major, at about 112 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in What Does It Take?
Double-tap drop: broken chord 8-8-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is What Does It Take 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.