Is "No Scrubs" 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 "No Scrubs"?

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 "No Scrubs" use?

Just 13 chords: C7, Cm7, D7, E7, Ebmaj7, Ebmaj9, F, F9, +5 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other TLC songs work for kids?

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

Super Simple Piano

No Scrubs

· by TLC

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Lyrics

A (Cm7)scrub is a guy but his is kind a weak It’s and I (D7)al so he known as a bust up, ’cause I’m (Cm7)al in’ ways talk in’ ’bout (Gm)what he wants and just (D7)sits wit’ on his broke (G5)ass.

So, (Cm7)no,

I don’t (Gm)want your num ber.

(D7)No,

I don’t wan na (Gm)give you mine and (Cm7)no,

I don’t wan na (Gm)meet you no where.

(D7)No,

don’t want (G5)none of your time and (Cm7)no,

I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me,

hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride,

(Gm)try’n to hol ler at (Cm7)me.

I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me,

hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride,

(Gm)try’n to hol ler at (Cm7)scrub took at me, but his is kind a weak It’s and I (D7)know that he can not ap proach me, ’cause I’m (Cm7)look in’ like class and he’s (Gm)look in’ like trash.

Can’t (D7)get wit’ a dead beat (G5)ass.

So,

(Cm7)no,

I don’t (Gm)want your num ber.

(D7)No,

I don’t wan na (Gm)give you mine and (Cm7)no, I don’t wan na (Gm)meet you no where.

(D7)No, don’t want (G5)none of your time and (Cm7)no, I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me, hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride,

(Gm)try’n to hol ler at (Cm7)me.

I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me, hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride,

(Gm)try’n to hol ler A (Gm)try’n to hol ler at don’t (Ebmaj9)me.

a car and you’re walk in’, oh, yes, son,

I’m talk in’ to you.

If you (F)live at home wit’ your ma ma, oh, yes, son,

I’m (Fm)talk in’ to you.

If you (Ebmaj7)have as sured me that you don’t show love, oh, (D7)yes, son, I’m talk in’ to you.

Wan na (Gm7)get with me with no mon ey, oh (F9sus)no, I don’t (D7)want no...

(D7)scrub.

(Cm7)No

(D7)scrub.

No, no.

(Cm7)No

(D7)scrub.

(Cm7)No

(D7)scrub.

No, no.

(Cm7)No, I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me, hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride, (Gm)try’n to hol ler at (Cm7)me.

I don’t (Gm)want no scrub.

A (D7)scrub is a guy that can’t (Gm)get no love from (Cm7)me, hang in’ out the (Gm)pas sen ger side of his (D7)best friend’s ride, (Gm)try’n to hol ler at (Gm)try’n to hol ler at me.

No Scrubs by TLC — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “No Scrubs” by TLC 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 100 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 great workout for jazzy chord shapes — you'll move through thirteen chords including Cm7, Ebmaj7, Ebmaj9, and F9, so get comfortable stretching into those extended voicings before you try full speed. The good news is your left hand holds a pedal bass pattern, meaning it stays anchored while your right hand does the harmonic heavy lifting. Start hands-separate at around 70 BPM: drill just the right-hand chord changes until the jumps between Gm7 and Ebmaj7 feel automatic, then layer the left hand in. At 100 BPM the groove is relaxed enough to breathe, but watch for the syncopated pushes — tap the rhythm on your lap first so you internalize the funk feel rather than rushing through it. The trickiest transitions are around the D7-to-Gb shifts; loop those four bars until they're muscle memory. This is the piece that'll make seventh chords feel like home under your fingers.

Frequently asked questions

Is "No Scrubs" 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 "No Scrubs"?: 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 "No Scrubs" use?: Just 13 chords: C7, Cm7, D7, E7, Ebmaj7, Ebmaj9, F, F9, +5 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other TLC songs work for kids?: Try "WATERFALLS", "Waterfalls". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.