How to Play "What Does It Take" by Junior Walker & The All-Stars on Piano
“What Does It Take” is in Bb major, 2/2 time, at 56 BPM, counted in half notes. 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 6 phrases.
- Bb major
- 2/2
- 56 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
2/2
2 beats in every bar (half notes), at 56 BPM
Your left hand for this song
Arpeggio
We'll use this simple left-hand pattern to accompany the melody: low, middle, high, middle, two notes a beat. A slow song in 2/2 has room for two notes a beat.
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 with its backing track in the player.
Play the full song
Frequently asked questions
What key is “What Does It Take” in?
“What Does It Take” 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 “What Does It Take”?
The lesson plays 4 chords, one easy shape each: Bb, Cm, Csus4 and F. As the sheet music writes them: Bbmaj7, Bb, Bb6, Cm7, Cm6, Cm7sus and F7. Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays Bb where the sheet music writes Bbmaj7.
What should my left hand play in “What Does It Take”?
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 “What Does It Take”?
“What Does It Take” plays at 56 BPM in 2/2, counted in half notes. Every step starts at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.
Is “What Does It Take” hard to play on piano?
It is rated Easy. The melody goes from C4 up to D5. 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 “What Does It Take”?
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.