Super Simple Piano

How to Play "Once upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles on Piano

Sara Bareilles · 83 bars

  • D major
  • 4/4
  • 60 BPM
  • Easy
  • Melody + piano

Your song map

0 / 19 parts learned

  1. Instrumental 3
  2. Verse 1
  3. Verse 2
  4. Chorus 1
  5. Verse 3
  6. Chorus 2
  7. Verse 4
  8. Instrumental 5
  9. Whole song
  • Learned
  • Selected
  • Now
  • To learn

Part 1 · bars 1 to 6

Up next
  1. Right hand
  2. Left hand
  3. Both hands

What you need to know

Read from the song's own notes: the key, the beat, the chords, and what each hand plays.

Key and scale

D major

2 sharps: F#, C#

DEF#GABC#

The D major scale

Time signature

4/4

4 beats in every bar, at 60 BPM

The chords you play

The song uses 9 chords, as the sheet music writes them.

More chords in the song

  • Edim7 ii°

Left hand

Moving single notes

The piano's lower staff, as written: mostly one note at a time, moving, about two a beat.

Range D2 to D3Step 2 on its ownStep 3 with the right hand

Right hand

The melody

The tune the singer sings, about one a beat.

Range D3 to D5Part by part

How to practice "Once upon Another Time"

Learn "Once upon Another Time" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 19 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

Every step is free to play
  1. Start hereThe melody

    Step 1: Right hand

    Listen, then play the melody with your right hand, with finger numbers.

    Open this step
  2. Lower staff

    Step 2: Left hand

    Your left hand learns the piano's lower staff, note for note, while the right hand plays softly so you hear where you are.

    Open this step
  3. Both staves

    Step 3: Both hands

    Both hands together, as written. When you can play it, press "I can play it" and the part is learned.

    Open this step
  4. Then play the whole song

    When you can play every part, play the full sheet music with its backing track in the player.

    Play the full song

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn "Once upon Another Time" on the piano?

Learn "Once upon Another Time" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 19 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

What key is "Once upon Another Time" in?

"Once upon Another Time" is in D major, which has 2 sharps: F# and C#. The D major scale is D, E, F#, G, A, B and C#.

The D major scale

What are the chords in "Once upon Another Time"?

The sheet music uses 9 chords: D5, Bm, G, A7sus4, D, Em, A, Gm and Edim7.

What does the left hand play in "Once upon Another Time"?

The piano's lower staff: mostly one note at a time, moving, about two a beat, from D2 to D3. You learn it on its own first, with the right hand playing softly underneath, then with both hands.

What tempo is "Once upon Another Time"?

"Once upon Another Time" plays at 60 BPM in 4/4. Every step of the practice plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need. The tempo changes during the song; this is its main tempo.

Is "Once upon Another Time" hard to play on piano?

It is rated Easy. The melody goes from D3 up to D5. The practice splits it into parts of a few bars, one hand at a time, so you can learn it at your own pace.

How long should I practice each day?

A few minutes is enough. Choose 5, 10 or 15 minutes: the timer ends the session for you, and the next session picks up where you stopped.

Do I need to read sheet music?

No. The practice plays each part for you, one hand at a time, and shows its notes on the sheet and on a keyboard as they play, with finger numbers. Slow it down as much as you need.

Is it free?

Yes. Practicing is free. Sign in to keep your progress and your streak, and to get a daily reminder.

Where can I get the sheet music for "Once upon Another Time"?

Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF.

Sheet music in the playerDownload the PDF