But Not For Me

by George Gershwin
Loading sheet music
Building your awesome sheet music
1
Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “But Not For Me
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of But Not For Me

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

Also available as a standard piano arrangement
Lyrics

(Eb)Old Man (Daug)Sun shine (Db)lis ten, (Caug)you!

(Cbaug)Nev er (Bb6)tell me, (A7)“Dreams come (Ab6)true!” (Bb13)just (Eb6)try it

and I’ll start (Bb)a (Eb6)ri ot.

(G)Bea trice (F#aug)Fair fax, (F)don’t you (Eaug)dare (Ebaug)ev er (D6)tell me (Db7)he (Daug)will (C6)care; (D13)I’m (G6)cer tain

it’s the fi (D)nal (G)cur tain, I (F#)nev (G)er (Edim7)want to (Fm7)hear from a ny (Fm7)cheer ful Pol ly (Bb7)an (Ab)nas,

who (Cm6)tell you (Fm7)fate, sup plies a (Bb)mate; it’s all (Bb7)ba (Eb6)na nas!

(Bb7)They’re (Eb)writ (Bb7)ing (Eb)songs (Bb7)of (Eb6)love, (Bb7)but (Eb)not (Bb7)for (Eb)me.

(Bb7)A (Eb)luck (Bb7)y (F9)star’s (F7)a bove, (Bb7)but not for (Eb9)me.

(Eb7)With love to (Ebaug)lead (Ab)the way I’ve found more (F#dim7)clouds (Eb)of (Cm)gray than (Fm6)a (Cm7)ny (Gaug)Rus (Fm7)sian play could gua ran (F)tee.

I (Eb)was (Bb7)a (Eb)fool (Bb7)to (Eb6)fall (Bb7)and (Eb)get (Bb7)that (Eb)way;

(Bb7)Heigh (Eb)ho!

(Bb7)A (F9)las!

(F7)and al so, (Bb7)lack a (Eb9)day!

(Eb7)Al though I (Ebaug)can’t (Ab)dis miss the mem ’ry (F#dim7)of (Eb)his (G)kiss, (Cm)I guess (C)he’s (Fm9)not

(Bb7)for

(Eb)me.

(Bb11)He’s (Ab7)knock (Bb)ing (Eb)on (Bb7)a (Eb6)door,

(Bb7)He’ll (Eb)plan (Bb7)a (F9)two (F7)by four,

(Eb7)I know that (Ebaug)love’s (Ab)a game; I’m puz zled, (F#dim7)just (Eb)the (Cm)same, was (Fm6)I (Cm7)the (Gaug)moth (Fm7)or flame?

I’m all at (F)sea.

It (Eb)all (Bb7)be (Eb)gan (Bb7)so (Eb6)well, (Bb7)but (Eb)what (Bb7)an (Eb)end!

(Bb7)This (Eb)is (Bb7)the (F9)time (F7)a fel ler (Bb7)needs (Eb9)friend,

(Eb7)when ev ’ry (Ebaug)hap (Ab)py plot ends with the (F#dim7)mar (Eb)riage (G)knot, (Cm)and there’s (C)no (Fm9)knot

(Eb)me.

(Bb11)He’s (Ab7)knock (Bb)ing (Eb)me.

But Not For Me — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

17 people have learned this song

Classic piano notation for "But Not For Me" by George Gershwin as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Ab — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 120 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Ab) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “But Not For Me

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "But Not For Me" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Ab, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "But Not For Me" by George Gershwin in?
The backing track is in Ab at 120 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "But Not For Me" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "But Not For Me"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "But Not For Me", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "But Not For Me" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "But Not For Me"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "But Not For Me"?
"But Not For Me" was originally performed by George Gershwin. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by George Gershwin are available?
Other accompaniments by George Gershwin: "Do It Again", "Embraceable You", "Fascinating Rhythm". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of Ab, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "But Not For Me" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

More songs you might like