Why Was I Born? Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Why Was I Born? in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Eb – Fm – Eb – Fm
Why Was I Born? sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIFmiiEbIFmii
- EbEb · G · Bb
- FmF · Ab · C
164 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Oom-pah
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Oom-pahStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Wait-a-beat chords
Silence on beat 1, then chords on 2, 3 and 4, leaving room for the bass. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Wait-a-beat chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
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: Fm – Bb7 – Eb
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FmBb7Eb
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab

What chords are in Why Was I Born??

The loop is Eb – Fm – Eb – Fm (I – ii – I – ii) in Eb major, and the song ends on Fm – Bb7 – Eb.

What key is Why Was I Born? in?

Eb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Why Was I Born??

Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Why Was I Born? 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.