Willie And The Hand Jive

by Johnny Otis

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Lyrics

(G6)Pa I tor know a cat lie, named at Way in Out Wil lie.

He got a (C9)cool and lit tle chick nior called has (G6)Rock in’ Mil lie.

He can walk lie and ba stroll pa, and ’em Su ter sie Q

and he (G6)do in’ that cra zy Hand Jive, ver too.

Hand (C9)Jive.

Hand (G6)Jive.

(Eb9)Hand (D9)Jive.

(C9)Do in’ that cra zy Hand (G6)Jive.

Now, (G6)Pa Ma tor pa told Wil ma, “You’ll an ru di my home.

lie.

He’s had a (C9)You in’ that lie Hand nior Jive with (G6)got to go.” lie.

Well, the Wil ma said, ba “Pa lie don’t his put ter me down.

They’re he (G6)do in’ the Hand Jive all o ver town.”

Hand (C9)Jive.

Hand (G6)Jive.

(Eb9)Hand (D9)Jive.

(C9)Do in’ that cra zy Hand (G6)Jive.

Now, (G6)Jive.

Willie And The Hand Jive by Johnny Otis — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Willie And The Hand Jive” by Johnny Otis 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 G at 200 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 "Willie And The Hand Jive" 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 "Willie And The Hand Jive"?
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.