How to Play "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash on Piano
“A Boy Named Sue” is in Bb major, 4/4 time, at 188 BPM. This lesson teaches a simple version of the song: the melody in your right hand and easy chords in your left, one phrase at a time. The song has 20 phrases, and 17 of them repeat ones you will already know.
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 188 BPM
- Easy
- Melody + easy chords
Free to play. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack.
What you need to know
Read from the song's own melody and chords. The left hand is kept simple on purpose.
Time signature
4/4
4 beats in every bar, at 188 BPM
Your left hand for this song
Beat chords
We'll use this simple left-hand pattern to accompany the melody: the whole chord on the strong beats. The song is fast, so the whole chord plays on the strong beats.
Right hand
The melody
The tune the singer sings, one note at a time, with finger numbers.
The lesson, step by step
3 short steps for each phrase of the song. Each one opens in the lesson player, so you can listen and play along on your own piano.
- Start hereRight hand
Step 1: Melody
Listen, then play the tune with your right hand, with finger numbers.
Open this step - Left hand
Step 2: Chords
Your left hand learns this phrase's chords: a bass note, block chords, or a simple pattern.
Open this step - Both hands
Step 3: Hands together
The melody with your left hand's chords under it. When you can play this, you can play the phrase.
Open this step Then play the whole song
When you can play every phrase, play the full sheet music in the player.
Play the full song
Frequently asked questions
What key is “A Boy Named Sue” in?
“A Boy Named Sue” is in Bb major, which has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. The Bb major scale is Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G and A.
What are the chords in “A Boy Named Sue”?
The lesson plays 3 chords, one easy shape each: Bb, Eb and F. As the sheet music writes them: Bb, Eb and F7. Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays F where the sheet music writes F7.
What should my left hand play in “A Boy Named Sue”?
First your left hand learns each phrase's chords on its own, then with the melody. It plays a bass note or a block chord when the chord changes, or a simple pattern: you choose, and the same choice stays on both steps.
What tempo is “A Boy Named Sue”?
“A Boy Named Sue” plays at 188 BPM in 4/4. Every step starts at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.
Is “A Boy Named Sue” hard to play on piano?
It is rated Easy. The melody goes from D4 up to Eb4. The lesson teaches a simple version: the melody and one easy chord shape at a time in the left hand.
Where can I get the sheet music for “A Boy Named Sue”?
Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack. It is this lesson on paper, with fingering, one left-hand style per PDF.