Is "Hard Habit To Break" 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 "Hard Habit To Break"?

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 "Hard Habit To Break" use?

Just 30 chords: A, A#m7, Ab, Abmaj7, Am7, Am9, B, Bb, +22 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Chicago songs work for kids?

Try "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME", "LOOK AWAY", "FEELIN' STRONGER EVERY DAY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Hard Habit To Break

· by Chicago

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Lyrics

(F#)I guess I thought you’d be here for ev er;

an oth er il lu sion I chose to cre ate.

You (B)don’t know what you got un til in’ it’s gone,

and I (A#m7)found out a lit tle (F#maj7)too late.

(F#m7)I (E)was (A)act ing as if you were luck y to have me, do in’ you a fa vor.

(I hard ly knew you were (F#m7)there.) But (D)then you were gone,

and it (C#m7)all was wrong.

Had (Bm7)no i dea how much of I cared.

Now (C)be ing with out you takes a (Em7)lot of get ting used to; should learn to live with it,

but I don’t want to.

(C)Be ing with out you is (Em7)all a big mis take.

In (F)stead of get ting eas i er, it’s the (Fm6)hard est thing to take.

I’m ad (F)dict ed to you, babe; you’re a (Ab)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

You (F#)found some one else; you had ev ’ry rea son.

You know I can’t blame you for run nin’ to him.

Two (B)peo ple to geth er but liv in’ a lone;

I was (A#m7)spread ing my love tle (F#maj7)too thin.

(F#m7)Af (E)ter (A)all of these years you I’m still try’n’ to shake it.

Do in’ much a bet ter.

(They say that it just takes (F#m7)time.) But (D)deep in the night,

it’s an (C#m7)end less fight.

I (Bm7)can’t i get you out of my mind.

Now (C)be ing with out you takes a (Em7)lot of get ting used to; should learn to live with it,

but I don’t want to.

(C)Be ing with out you is (Em7)all a big mis take.

In (F)stead of get ting eas i er, it’s the (Fm6)hard est thing to take.

I’m ad (F)dict ed to you, babe; you’re a (Ab)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

You

Can’t go (Bb)on, (Eb)just can’t go on, (G7sus)on.

(Ab)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

Such a (Eb)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

I’m ad (G9sus)dict ed to (G7)you.

You’re a (Ab)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

Such a (Eb)hard

(Bb)hab it to break.

I’m ad (G9sus)dict ed to (G7)you.

You’re a

Hard Habit To Break by Chicago — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Hard Habit To Break” by Chicago 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 F# at 90 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Hard Habit To Break" 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 "Hard Habit To Break"?: 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 "Hard Habit To Break" use?: Just 30 chords: A, A#m7, Ab, Abmaj7, Am7, Am9, B, Bb, +22 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Chicago songs work for kids?: Try "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME", "LOOK AWAY", "FEELIN' STRONGER EVERY DAY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.