Is "The Story" 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 Story"?

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 Story" use?

Just 6 chords: B, Bsus4, E, F#, F#7, G#m. Take it one section at a time.

What other Brandi Carlile songs work for kids?

Try "THE JOKE", "PARTY OF ONE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

The Story

· by Brandi Carlile

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Lyrics

All of these lines a cross my face

it’s tell you the sto ry of who I am.

And So man y the sto ries I of where I’ve been

and and how I got to where I a am.

Oh, But these e (B)sto ries don’t mean (F#7)an y thing when you’ve (G#m)got no one like to (E)tell them to it’s (B)true.

And (F#7)I was made for (B)you.

I climbed a cross the moun tain tops,

it’s swam all a cross the o cean come blue.

And I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules,

and ba by I broke them all for a you.

Oh, be cause e (B)they don’t when was (F#7)I flat broke

you (G#m)made me feel what a (E)mil lion bucks, you (B)do.

And (F#7)I was made for (B)you.

I climbed a cross (B)you.

You see the smile (B)you.

All of these (B)lines a cross my face

tell you the sto ry of who I am.

So man y sto ries of where I’ve been

and how I got to where I am.

Oh, but these (B)sto ries don’t mean (F#7)an y thing when you’ve (G#m)got no one

to (E)tell them to it’s (B)true

(F#7)I was made for you.

Oh, yeah, well it’s true

that (F#7)I was made for (B)you.

The Story by Brandi Carlile — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Story” by Brandi Carlile 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 B at 94 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.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build comfort playing in the key of B, which sits your right hand almost entirely on black keys — five sharps can feel unfamiliar at first, but the chord shapes actually fall naturally once you commit them to muscle memory. Your left hand uses an octave bass pattern throughout, so keep that reach relaxed and steady at 94 BPM; rushing the bass is the most common issue I see. Pay special attention to the Bsus4-to-B resolution — it's just one finger lifting, but timing that release cleanly against the bass gives the ballad its emotional pull. The F#7 transition into G#m can also catch you off guard, so loop those two bars hands-separately until the voicing feels automatic. Start at around 70 BPM, get both hands locked in, then gradually bring it up to tempo. By the end, you'll have a much stronger feel for navigating sharp-heavy keys with confidence — that skill transfers to a huge number of songs.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Story" 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 Story"?: 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 Story" use?: Just 6 chords: B, Bsus4, E, F#, F#7, G#m. Take it one section at a time.
What other Brandi Carlile songs work for kids?: Try "THE JOKE", "PARTY OF ONE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.