Is "Opening Up" 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 "Opening Up"?

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 "Opening Up" use?

Just 17 chords: A, Am, Am9, Bm, Bm7, C, D, Dmaj7, +9 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Sara Bareilles songs work for kids?

Try "Vegas", "Hold My Heart", "1000 TIMES". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Opening Up

· by Sara Bareilles

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Lyrics

The day starts like the rest I’ve seen, an oth er (Dmaj7)car bon cop y of where I’ve al read y been.

Days keep com in’, one out, one in, they keep (Gsus2)com in’.

I don’t know what I wish I had, but there’s (Dmaj7)no time now for think in’ things like that.

I’ve got (Am)too much to do.

(Too much to do.) We’ve got (G)too much to do.

Too much to do.

(D)O pen ing up,

let tin’ the day

in.

(D)Pour you a cup

and say, “Hel lo, how ya been?” Look in’ a round,

see in’ the same

things,

it’s (D)com fort ing how

some things nev er change, nev er change, nev er change, do they?

I would n’t call this place a hap py end, but I’ve been round the block and just came back a gain.

Could be worse, so make it work, no place is per (G)fect.

Hey,

I’m no good in the out side world, be cause I (F#m7)feel too much and find it u sual ly hurts.

(Am)I like the way most of the days look ex (G)act ly the same.

(D)O pen ing up,

ev er y day

starts

(D)o ver a cup

served with, “Hel lo, how ya been?” Wel come it in

what ev er the day

brings.

(D)More of the same things.

Check the clock, tick, tick tock, don’t stop, serve with a smile.

Hur ry up, fill the cof (D)fee cup, and then in a while, take a breath when you need to be re mind ed that with (G)days

(E)like these,

we can (F#7)on ly do the best we (Bm)can.

And (Gm)do it all a gain.

It’s the heart beat,

the cen ter,

the life line

you en ter.

It’s the heart beat,

(Heart beat.) the cen ter,

(Cen ter.) the life line (The life line.) you en ter.

It’s the heart beat,

(Heart beat.) It's the cen ter,

(Cen ter.) the life line (The life line.) you en ter.

nev er change, nev er change, nev er change, they nev er change.

Opening Up by Sara Bareilles — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Opening Up” by Sara Bareilles 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 160 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 "Opening Up" 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 "Opening Up"?: 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 "Opening Up" use?: Just 17 chords: A, Am, Am9, Bm, Bm7, C, D, Dmaj7, +9 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Sara Bareilles songs work for kids?: Try "Vegas", "Hold My Heart", "1000 TIMES". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.