Is "I Will Survive" 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 Will Survive"?

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 Will Survive" use?

Just 7 chords: Am, Bm7, Cmaj7, Dm, E7, Fmaj7, G. Take it one section at a time.

What other Gloria Gaynor songs work for kids?

Try "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

I Will Survive

· by Gloria Gaynor

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Lyrics

At (Am)first I was a fraid, I was (Dm)pet ri fied; kept think in’ (G)I could nev er live with out you (Cmaj7)by my side.

But then, I (Fmaj7)spent so man y nights just think in’ (B)how you did me wrong and I grew (E7sus)strong,

and I learned (E7)how to get a long.

And so you’re (Am)back

from out er (Dm)space.

I just walk (G)in to find you here with that sad (Cmaj7)look up on your face.

I should have (Fmaj7)changed that stu pid lock, I should have (B)made you leave your key, if I’d ’ve (E7sus)known for just one sec ond you’d be (E7)back to both er me.

Go on, now (Am)go,

walk out the (Dm)door;

just turn a (G)round, now, ’cause you’re not (Cmaj7)wel come an y more.

Weren’t you the one who tried to (B)hurt me with good bye?

Did you think I’d (E7sus)crum ble,

did you think I’d (E7)lay down and die?

Oh no, not (Am)I,

I will sur (Dm)vive.

Oh, as (G)long as I know how to love, I (Cmaj7)know I’ll stay a live.

I’ve got (Fmaj7)all my life to live, I’ve got (B)all my love to give and I’ll sur (E7sus)vive,

I will sur (E7)vive!

It took (Am)all the strength I had not to (Dm)fall a part; kept try in’ (G)hard to mend the piec es of my (Cmaj7)bro ken heart.

And I spent, (Fmaj7)oh, so man y nights just feel in’ (B)sor ry for my self.

I used to (E7sus)cry,

but now I (E7)hold my head up high.

And you see (Am)me,

some bod y (Dm)new,

I’m not that (G)chained up lit tle per son still in (Cmaj7)love with you.

your face.

And so you (Fmaj7)felt like drop pin’ in and just ex (B)pect me to be free.

Well now, I’m (E7sus)sav in’ all my lov in’ for some (E7)one who’s lov in’ me.

Go on, now (Am)go,

walk out the (Dm)door;

just turn a (G)round, now, ’cause you’re not (Cmaj7)wel come an y more.

Weren’t you the one who tried to (B)hurt me with good bye?

Did you think I’d (E7sus)crum ble, did you think I’d (E7)lay down and die?

Oh no, not (Am)I,

I will sur (Dm)vive.

Oh, as (G)long as I know how to love, I (Cmaj7)know I’ll stay a live.

I’ve got (Fmaj7)all my life to live, I’ve got (B)all my love to give and I’ll sur (E7sus)vive,

I will sur (E7)vive!

It took (E7)vive!

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor 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 A 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.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement walks you through a seven-chord cycle in A minor that moves in a steady descending-fourths pattern — Am to Dm to G to Cmaj7 to Fmaj7 to Bm7 to E7 and back — so your left hand needs to lock into that pedal bass pattern early and keep it rock-steady at 100 BPM. Start hands-separate: get your left hand comfortable anchoring each root note while your right hand maps out the seventh-chord shapes, especially the stretch on Cmaj7 and Fmaj7. The trickiest transitions are Fmaj7 to Bm7 and then Bm7 to E7, where your fingers have to reposition quickly — loop just those two changes at half tempo until they feel automatic. Watch for the temptation to rush through the G–Cmaj7 handoff; keep your rhythm even and let the groove do the work. Once this progression clicks, you'll have real confidence moving through extended chords in a minor key, which opens up a huge chunk of R&B and soul repertoire for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is "I Will Survive" 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 Will Survive"?: 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 Will Survive" use?: Just 7 chords: Am, Bm7, Cmaj7, Dm, E7, Fmaj7, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Gloria Gaynor songs work for kids?: Try "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.