You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – A – D – G
How it goes
You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture sits in D major: D is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; A is A, C# and E; D is D, F# and A. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIVAVDIGIV
- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
- DD · F# · A
141 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
How it goes
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Lazy footstepsRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 144 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: G – A – D
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAD

What chords are in You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture?

The loop is G – A – D – G (IV – V – I – IV) in D major, and the song ends on G – A – D.

What key is You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture in?

D major, at about 144 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture?

Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture 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.