Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Why Can’t I? on piano
Artist unknown
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- Easy
Learn Why Can’t I? in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Eb – Bb – F
Why Can’t I? sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GVIEbIVBbIFV- GG · B · D
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Dawdling footsteps
Two steps, then a lazy late note after beat 3 that catches up on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 222 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 90 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 – Eb – Bb
The last chords are V – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FEbBb
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Questions about Why Can’t I?
What chords are in Why Can’t I??
The loop is G – Eb – Bb – F (VI5 – IV5 – I5 – V5) in Bb major, and the song ends on F – Eb – Bb.
What key is Why Can’t I? in?
Bb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Why Can’t I??
Dawdling footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Why Can’t I? 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.