Is "I Gotta Try" 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 "I Gotta Try"?

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 "I Gotta Try" use?

Just 23 chords: Am7, B7, Bb, Bbmaj9, C, D, D7, Dm, +15 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Michael McDonald songs work for kids?

Try "REFLECTIONS", "I BELIEVE", "FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

I Gotta Try

· by Michael McDonald

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Lyrics

(G6)May be it’s (D)true what they say a bout it.

(G6)May be we (D)can’t make the ends to meet.

(G6)May be we’ll (D)all have to do with out it.

(G6)May be this (D)world’s just to in com plete.

Well, (C)we (Bbmaj9)all tined (Am7)look look for truth in this (Dno3d)life, (Bbmaj9)search (Am7)ing

(C)with hope less (D)sight.

If it’s (Bbmaj9)so hard (Am7)liv ing in a des p’rate (D)world,

we (Gm7)all (Fsus2)do the (Bb)best that we (G)can.

(Dm7)Some (C)peo ple (F)see (Gm7)a (F)change,

(Gm7)some (C)will re (C)main (Dm7)the same.

(Dm7)Oth (C)ers will (F)live (Gm7)their (F)lives

(Gm7)un (C)der the (C)gun.

(Dm7)Some (C)see the (F)road (Gm7)as (F)clear,

(Gm7)some (C)say the (C)end (Dm7)is here.

They say (C)it’s a (F)hope (Ebmaj7)less (C)fight, (Dm7)but (C)I (Bb)say (G)I got ta (D)try!

(G6)May be it’s (D)too much to think a bout.

it.

(G6)May be there (D)ain’t noth ing left to say.

(G6)But if our (D)time’s real ly run nin’ out, it.

(G6)then this ain’t (D)no time to run a way.

’Cause (C)we’re (Bbmaj9)des tined (Am7)to look for truth in this (Dno3d)life,

(Bbmaj9)search (Am7)ing (C)with tear ful (D)eyes.

If it’s (Bbmaj9)so hard (Am7)liv ing in a des p’rate (D)world, then (Gm7)tell (Fsus2)me, the (Bb)why was I (G)born?

(Dm7)Some (C)peo ple (F)see (Gm7)a (F)change,

(Gm7)some (C)will re (C)main (Dm7)the same.

(Dm7)Oth (C)ers will (F)live (Gm7)their (F)lives

(Gm7)un (C)der the (C)gun.

(Dm7)Some (C)see the (F)road (Gm7)as (F)clear,

(Gm7)some (C)say the (C)end (Dm7)is here.

They say (C)it’s a (F)hope (Ebmaj7)less (C)fight, (Dm7)but (C)I (Bb)say (G)I got ta (D)try!

(G6)May be it’s (D)too

(Gm11)Lone

(Am7)ly,

liv in’ so (Eb)lone

(F7sus)ly,

it ain’t (Bbmaj9)too late to (Am7)turn it all a (Dsus)round.

(Dm)Some (C)peo ple (F)see (Gm7)a (F)change,

(Gm7)some (C)will re (C)main (Dm7)the same.

(Dm7)Oth (C)ers will (F)live (Gm7)their (F)lives

(Gm7)un (C)der the (C)gun.

(Em7)Some (D)say (G)the road (Am7)is (G)clear,

(Am7)some (D)say the (D)end (Em7)is (D)here.

They say (D)it’s a (G)hope (Fmaj7)less (D)fight, (Em7)but (D)I (C)say (B)I got ta (G)try (Am7)and (G)change,

though oth (D)ers re (D)main (Em7)the (D)same.

(Em7)Some (D)of us (G)live (Am7)our (G)lives

(Am7)un (D)der the (D)gun.

(Em7)Some (D)say the (G)road (Am7)is (G)clear,

(Am7)some (D)say the (D)end (Em7)is (D)here.

They say (D)it’s a (G)hope (Fmaj7)less (D)fight, (Em7)but (D)I (C)say (B)I got ta (G)try (Am7)and (G)change,

though oth (D)ers re (D)main (Em7)the (D)same.

(Em7)Some (D)of us (G)live (Am7)our (G)lives

(Am7)un (D)der the (D)gun.

(Em7)Some (D)say the (G)road

I Gotta Try by Michael McDonald — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I Gotta Try” by Michael McDonald 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 D at 100 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 "I Gotta Try" 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 "I Gotta Try"?: 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 "I Gotta Try" use?: Just 23 chords: Am7, B7, Bb, Bbmaj9, C, D, D7, Dm, +15 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Michael McDonald songs work for kids?: Try "REFLECTIONS", "I BELIEVE", "FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.