How to Play "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" by White Lion on Piano

White Lion · Shared by Natalie · 132 bars

  • E minor
  • 2/2
  • 50 BPM
  • Medium
  • Melody + piano

Your song map

0 / 24 parts learned

  1. Intro
  2. Verse 1
  3. Chorus 1
  4. Verse 2
  5. Verse 3
  6. Chorus 2
  7. Verse 4
  8. Instrumental
  9. Verse 5
  10. 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

    E minor

    Five-finger position on E, then the E natural minor scale with both hands.

    About this scale
  2. The chord loop

    Em, Bm, C, G · i, v, VI, III

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

    Em: E, G, B
    Bm: B, D, F#
    C: C, E, G
    G: G, B, D
  3. The left hand

    Climb-and-jump

    Broken chord 1-5-8-1 · Beginner

    Up the chord one note per beat, then a big jump back to the bottom.

Verse 1, part 1 · bars 11 to 15

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

E minor

1 sharp: F#

EF#GABCD

The E natural minor scale

Time signature

2/2

2 beats in every bar (half notes), at 50 BPM

The chords you play

The song uses 7 chords, as the sheet music writes them.

Left hand

Moving single notes

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

Range B1 to C4Step 2 on its ownStep 3 with the right hand

Right hand

The melody

The tune the singer sings, about two a beat.

Range G4 to G5Part by part

How to practice "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY"

Learn "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 24 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 "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" on the piano?

Learn "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 24 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 "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" in?

"WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" is in E minor, which has 1 sharp: F#. The E minor scale is E, F#, G, A, B, C and D.

The E natural minor scale

What are the chords in "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY"?

The sheet music uses 7 chords: Em, Bm, C, G, D, Dsus and D7.

What does the left hand play in "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY"?

The piano's lower staff: mostly one note at a time, moving, about two a beat, from B1 to C4. You learn it on its own first, with the right hand playing softly underneath, then with both hands.

What tempo is "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY"?

"WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" plays at 50 BPM in 2/2, counted in half notes. Every step of the practice plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.

Is "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY" hard to play on piano?

It is rated Medium: a good next step once you can play a few easy songs. The melody goes from G4 up to G5. 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 "WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY"?

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

Sheet music in the playerDownload the PDF