Is "Crying" good for a child learning piano?

Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.

What age can start with "Crying"?

Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.

Do we need a piano teacher to use this?

No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.

Can we print the sheet music?

Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.

How many chords does "Crying" use?

Just 7 chords: C, Caug, Em, F, Fm, G7, G9. Take it one section at a time.

What other Roy Orbison songs work for kids?

Try "OH, PRETTY WOMAN", "Oh, Pretty Woman", "YOU GOT IT". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Crying

· by Roy Orbison

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Lyrics

I was all right

was for a while;

I could smile for a while,

I but I saw you last night; you held my (C)hand so tight, as you (F)stopped to say, “Hel (Fm)lo.”

(G9)Oh, you (C)wished me well; you (G7)could n’t tell

that I’d been (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you, (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you.

When (F)you

said, “So (G7)long;”

left me (F)stand ing

all a (G7)lone,

a lone and (C)cry ing,

(C)cry ing,

(F)cry ing,

(Fm)cry ing.

It’s hard to (C)un

der stand,

but the (G7)touch

of your hand

can start me (C)cry ing.

I thought that right

was o ver you

but it’s true, so a while,

I love you e you ven more you than I (C)did be fore, but dar (F)ling, what can I (Fm)do?

(G9)For you (C)don’t love me I’ll (G7)al ways be

I’d been (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you, (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you.

Yes, (F)now

you’re “So (G7)gone

and from (F)this ing

mo ment (G7)on

a I’ll be (C)cry ing,

(C)cry ing,

(F)cry ing,

(Fm)cry ing.

It’s Yeah, to (C)cry

der ing,

but the (G7)cry

of your ing

can o ver (C)cry ing.

I thought that (C)you.

Crying by Roy Orbison — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Crying” by Roy Orbison in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 110 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to get comfortable with chromatic voice leading — small, one-note shifts between chords that create big emotional swells. Your biggest focus should be the C to C augmented move: all you're doing is raising the G up a half step to G♯, but it has to sound smooth, not jarring, so keep your hand relaxed and let that one finger glide. The same idea applies when F major melts into F minor — just lower the A to A♭. Practice those two transitions slowly, hands together, until they feel automatic. Your left hand plays an octave bass pattern throughout, which is straightforward at 110 BPM, but watch that you don't rush it during the G7 and G9 sections where the melody gets busier. I'd suggest looping the verse progression at around 80 BPM first, then gradually bring it up to tempo once the chord shapes sit in your fingers without looking. A little sustain pedal on each chord change will help capture the song's aching, sustained quality — just be sure to release cleanly so nothing muddies together. This is the piece that'll make chromatic chord shifts feel like second nature.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Crying" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Crying"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Crying" use?: Just 7 chords: C, Caug, Em, F, Fm, G7, G9. Take it one section at a time.
What other Roy Orbison songs work for kids?: Try "OH, PRETTY WOMAN", "Oh, Pretty Woman", "YOU GOT IT". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.