Is "Money For Nothing" 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 "Money For Nothing"?

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 "Money For Nothing" use?

Just 9 chords: Bb, Bbpow, Cpow, Dpow, Eb, Epow, Fpow, Gm7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Dire Straits songs work for kids?

Try "WALK OF LIFE", "SULTANS OF SWING", "Brothers in Arms". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Money For Nothing

· by Dire Straits

Loading song

Fetching song

—

Play in Full Modes More Songs for Kids

Lyrics

Look at them yo yos, that’s the way you do it.

You play the gui tar on the (Bb5)M T (C5)V.

That ain’t work in’, that’s the way you do it.

Mon ey for noth in’ and your (F5)chicks for free.

See the lit ain’t tle fag got with the ear the way you do it.

Lem me tell ya dy, them his (Bb5)guys ain’t (C5)dumb.

(Gm7)May be get a blis ter on your lit tle fin ger.

That lit tle Ba by, get a (F5)blis ter on your thumb.

We got to in stall (Bb)mi cro wave ov ens,

cus tom kitch en de (F5)liv er ies.

We got to move these re frig er a tors, we got to move these (D5)col or T Vs.

See the lit ain’t tle fag got with the ear ring and the make up.

Lem me Yeah, bud dy, that’s his (Bb5)own ain’t (C5)hair.

(Gm7)May That lit tle fag got got his own jet air plane.

That lit tle fag got, he’s a (F5)mil ter lion aire.

thumb.

We got to in stall (Bb)mi cro wave ov ens,

cus tom kitch en de (F5)liv er ies.

We got to move these re frig er a tors, we got to move these (D5)col or T Vs.

I should a learned to play the gui tar.

He’s bang I should a them learned bon gos like to (C5)play them drums.

stick in’ in the cam era, man,

and get your (F5)chicks for free.

I should a learned to play the gui tar.

He’s bang ing on a them learned bon gos like a (C5)chim pan zee.

stick in’ in the cam era, man,

and get your (F5)chicks for free.

We got to in stall (Bb)mi cro wave ov ens,

cus tom kitch en de (F5)liv er ies.

We got to move these re frig er a tors, we got to move these (D5)col or T Vs.

(Gm7)Mon ey for noth in’,

chicks for free.

(Gm7)Mon ey for noth in’

and chicks for free.

(Gm7)Mon ey for noth in’,

chicks for free.

(Gm7)Mon ey for noth in’

and chicks for free.

Money For Nothing by Dire Straits — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits 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 120 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 fantastic workout for power chords — six of the nine chords here are power shapes, so your right hand will get very comfortable snapping between Cpow, Dpow, Gpow, and their neighbors across the keyboard. The real challenge is your left hand: that walking bass line needs to stay locked in at 120 BPM while your right hand shifts between compact power chords and the fuller voicings like Gm7 and Bb. Start hands-separate — get that walking bass smooth and automatic before you layer anything on top. Once you combine hands, slow it down to around 80 BPM and loop the sections where you jump from a power chord into Gm7 or Eb, because that wider stretch tends to trip people up. Keep your wrist relaxed through the transitions and resist the urge to rush. By the end, your power-chord vocabulary and two-hand independence will feel noticeably sharper.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Money For Nothing" 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 "Money For Nothing"?: 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 "Money For Nothing" use?: Just 9 chords: Bb, Bbpow, Cpow, Dpow, Eb, Epow, Fpow, Gm7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Dire Straits songs work for kids?: Try "WALK OF LIFE", "SULTANS OF SWING", "Brothers in Arms". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.