The Makings Of You

· by Curtis Mayfield

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Lyrics

(Am7)Add a (Dm7)lit tle (Gm7)sug ar,

(Bbmaj7)hon ey (Am7)suck le lamb,

a (Am7)great big ex pres sion of (Dm7)hap pi ness.

(Cm7)Boy, you could n’t (Bbmaj7)miss

(Am7)with a doz en (Gm7)ros es.

Such would as tound (Gm7)you,

the (Am7)joy of chil dren laugh ing a round you.

(Cm7)These are the mak ings of (Gm7)you,

it is true,

the mak ings of (Am7)you.

The (Am7)right eous (Dm7)way to (Gm7)go,

(Bbmaj7)lit tle one would know.

or be (Am7)lieve if I told them so

You’re (Cm7)sec ond to (Bbmaj7)none.

The (Am7)love of all man (Gm7)kind

should re flect (Am7)some (Gm7)sign of these (Am7)words I’ve tried to re cite.

They are (Cm7)close, but not quite.

Al most im pos si ble to do,

re cit ing the mak ings of (Dm7)you.

The (Am7)right eous (Dm7)way to ings of (Dm7)you.

The Makings Of You by Curtis Mayfield — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Makings Of You” by Curtis Mayfield 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 Bb at 81 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.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Makings Of You" 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 "The Makings Of You"?: 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 "The Makings Of You" use?: Just 9 chords: Am7, Bbmaj7, C9, Cm7, Dm7, F, F6, Fmaj9, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Curtis Mayfield songs work for kids?: Try "SOMETHING HE CAN FEEL", "MOVE ON UP", "PEOPLE GET READY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.