Try A Little Tenderness

by Otis Redding

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Lyrics

She may be (Bm7)wea ry;

wom en do get (A7)wea ry,

(C)wear ing the same shab by (B7)dress.

And when she’s wea ry,

try a lit tle (A13)ten

der (F7)ness.

(Bm7)Oo, she may be wait ing,

just an tic i pat ing (C)things she may nev er pos (B)sess,

and while she’s with out them,

try a lit tle (A13)ten

der (D)ness.

It’s (Gmaj7)not just

sen ti (F#7)men tal;

she has her (Bm)grief and her (B)care,

but a (Em7)word

so soft and (D#dim)gen tle

makes it (Em7)eas i er

to (A7)bear.

You won’t re (Bm7)gret it;

wom en don’t for (A7)get it.

(C)Love is their whole hap pi (B7)ness,

and it’s all so eas y:

try a lit tle (A13)ten

der (D)ness.

It’s (Gmaj7)not just

sen ti (F#7)men tal;

she has her (Bm)grief and her (B)care,

but a (Em7)word

so soft and (D#dim)gen tle

makes it (Em7)eas i er

to (A7)bear.

You won’t re (Bm7)gret it;

wom en don’t for (A7)get it.

(C)Love is their whole hap pi (B7)ness,

and it’s all so eas y:

try a lit tle (A13)ten

der (D)ness.

It’s and it’s all so eas y:

just try a lit tle ten der (F#)ness.

You’ve got ta try.

You’ve got to (Em7)hold her.

You’ve got to (G)squeeze her.

You have to (F#)try, you’ve got to try and al ways (B)please her.

(B)You won’t re (Em7)gret it, you won’t re gret it.

Oh,

(CN.C.)try,

a lit tle ten der ten der ness.

Try A Little Tenderness by Otis Redding — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding 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 70 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 "Try A Little Tenderness" 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 "Try A Little Tenderness"?
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.
What other Otis Redding songs work for kids?
Try "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", "THE DOCK OF THE BAY", "I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.