How to Play "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" by Karrin Allyson on Piano

Karrin Allyson · Shared by Jim · 60 bars

  • Bb major
  • 4/4
  • 85 BPM
  • Easy
  • Melody + piano

Your song map

0 / 9 parts learned

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

What this song uses

Short warm-ups in the song's own key and chords. About a minute each, and you can skip them.

  1. The key

    Bb major

    Five-finger position on Bb, then the Bb major scale with both hands.

    About this scale
  2. The chord loop

    E♭, B♭, Cm, Fsus4 · IV, I, ii, Vsus4

    The loop the song goes round most. Play each chord as a block, one bar each.

    E♭: Eb, G, Bb
    B♭: Bb, D, F
    Cm: C, Eb, G
    Fsus4: F, Bb, C
  3. A left hand that fits

    Pop heartbeat

    Root bass · Charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) · Beginner

    Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs.

Verse 1, part 1 · bars 4 to 7

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

Bb major

2 flats: Bb, Eb

BbCDEbFGA

The Bb major scale

Time signature

4/4

4 beats in every bar, at 85 BPM

The chords you play

The song uses 29 chords, as the sheet music writes them.

More chords in the song

Left hand

Bass notes

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

Range G1 to Eb4Step 2 on its ownStep 3 with the right hand

Right hand

The melody

The tune the singer sings, one note at a time, about one a beat.

Range F3 to Bb4Part by part

How to practice "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS"

Learn "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 9 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 "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" on the piano?

Learn "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 9 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 "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" in?

"THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" is in Bb major, which has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. The Bb major scale is Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G and A.

The Bb major scale

What are the chords in "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS"?

The sheet music uses 29 chords: Bbsus2, Dbmaj9, Bbm9, F, Ebmaj9, Bb, F9sus, G9sus, Cm7, Eb, Eb6/9, F#dim7, Gm, Dm, Cm, F13sus and 13 more.

What does the left hand play in "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS"?

The piano's lower staff: mostly one note at a time, about one a beat, from G1 to Eb4. You learn it on its own first, with the right hand playing softly underneath, then with both hands.

What tempo is "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS"?

"THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" plays at 85 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.

Is "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS" hard to play on piano?

It is rated Easy. The melody goes from F3 up to Bb4. 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 "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS"?

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

Sheet music in the playerDownload the PDF