Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Why Lady Why on piano
Written by Teddy Gentry & Richard Scott
- E minor
- 3/4
- 120 BPM
- i–bIII–i–bIII loop
- 1980
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Why Lady Why in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – G – Em – G
How it goes
Why Lady Why sits in E minor: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmiGIIIEmiGIII- EmE · G · B
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
How it goes
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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: C – D – Em
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDEm- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
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Questions about Why Lady Why
What chords are in Why Lady Why?
The loop is Em – G – Em – G (i – bIII – i – bIII) in E minor, and the song ends on C – D – Em.
What key is Why Lady Why in?
E minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Why Lady Why?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Why Lady Why 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.