Piano chords · Rock drive
How to play You’re All I Need To Get By on piano
By Marvin Gaye
- C major
- 4/4
- 104 BPM
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn You’re All I Need To Get By in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D7 – Fm – C
How it goes
You’re All I Need To Get By sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; Fm is F, Ab and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CID7II7FmivCI- CC · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- FmF · Ab · C
- 2
Left hand: Rock hop
How it goes
Low, high, a quick double, then high again: a hopping rock bass. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 809 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
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 104 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about You’re All I Need To Get By
What chords are in You’re All I Need To Get By?
The loop is C – D7 – Fm – C (I – II7 – iv – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is You’re All I Need To Get By in?
C major, at about 104 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in You’re All I Need To Get By?
Rock hop: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2& · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is You’re All I Need To Get By 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.