Is "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life"?

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 "Lush Life" use?

Just 46 chords: A7, A9, Ab6, Ab7, Ab9, Abm7, B7, Bb7, +38 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Billy Strayhorn songs work for kids?

Try "Chelsea Bridge". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Lush Life

· by Billy Strayhorn

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Lyrics

I (Db)used to vis it (Cb7)all the ver y (Dbmaj7)gay plac es, those (Cb7)come what (Dbmaj7)may plac es, where (Cb7)one re (Dbmaj7)lax es (Ebm7)on the (Fbmaj7)ax is (Gbm7)of the (Abm7)wheel of life to get the (Db6)feel of life from jazz and (Db6)cock tails.

The (Db)girls I knew had (Cb7)sad and sul len (Dbmaj7)gray fac es, with (Cb7)dis tin (Dbmaj7)gué trac es that (Cb7)used to (Dbmaj7)be there, (Ebm7)you could (Fbmaj7)see where (Gbm7)they’d been (Abm7)washed a way by too man y (Db6)through the day

(D9)twelve o’ (Db6)clock tails.

(C7)Then (Fm)you came a (Fm6)long with (Fm7)your si ren (Fm6)song to (Fm)tempt me to mad ness,

I (Fm)thought for a (Fm6)while that (Fm7)your poig nant (Fm6)smile was (Db)tinged with the (Edim7)sad ness (Ebm7)of a great (Ab9)love for me.

Ah, (Bb)yes, I was (Ebm7)wrong,

a gain I was (Ebm7)wrong!

(Db)Life is (D9)lone ly a (Db)gain, and (D9)on ly last (Db6)year ev ’ry thing (C)seemed (B)so (E)sure.

(D)Now (Db)life is (D7)aw ful a (Db)gain, a (D7)trough ful of (Db)hearts could on ly (Db9)be (C)a (F)bore.

(Eb)A (Ab6)week in (Eb)Par is will (Ab6)ease the (Em9)bite of (A)it.

(D)All I (Dm7)care is to (C6)smile (Cb7)in (Bb9)spite (A7)of (Ab9)it.

(Db)I’ll for (D7)get you, I (Db)will, while (D7)yet you are (Db6)still burn ing in (C)side (B)my (Bb7)brain.

Ro (Ebm7)mance is (Gbm9)mush, (Gbm6)sti fling (A9)those who strive,

I’ll (Dbmaj9)live a (Dbm9)lush (Gb)life in (Cbmaj9)some (Cb6)small (Fm11)dive,

(Bb)and (Ebm7)there I’ll (Gbm9)be, while (Gbm6)I (A)rot with the (Ab9)rest of (Fb)those (Eb6)whose (Dmaj7)lives (G9)are (Db6)lone (D9)ly, (Dbmaj7)too.

Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Lush Life” by Billy Strayhorn 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 Gb 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 "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life"?: 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 "Lush Life" use?: Just 46 chords: A7, A9, Ab6, Ab7, Ab9, Abm7, B7, Bb7, +38 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Billy Strayhorn songs work for kids?: Try "Chelsea Bridge". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.