What key is "Absolute Beginners" in?

"Absolute Beginners" by David Bowie is in the key of C with a tempo of 114 BPM. Difficulty: beginner.

Is "Absolute Beginners" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated beginner, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Absolute Beginners" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Absolute Beginners"?

This arrangement of "Absolute Beginners" uses 9 chords: Am, Bb, C, Ddim, Dm, E, E7, F, +1 more.

How long does it take to learn "Absolute Beginners" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by David Bowie can I play here?

Try "Changes", "UNDER PRESSURE", "YOUNG AMERICANS". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I’ve no thing much to (Am)of fer,

there’s no thing much to (Ddim)take,

I’m an ab so lute be (C)gin ner,

but I’m ab so lute ly (Am)sane.

As long as we’re to (Am)- ther,

the rest can go to (Ddim)hell,

I’m I ab so lute ly (C)love you,

but we’re ab so lute be (Am)sane.

As long as we’re to (Am)- ners.

With eyes com (C)plete ly op en,

but ner vous all the (G)same.

If our (C)love song

could fly o ver (F)moun tains,

could laugh at the (Am)o cean,

just like the (E7)films,

(G)there’s no (C)rea son

to feel all the (F)hard times,

to lay down the (Am)hard lines,

it’s ab so lute ly (G)true.

Ba ba ba (G)ooh,

ba ba ba (C)ooh.

Absolute Beginners by David Bowie

11 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 114 BPM. Difficulty: beginner. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to stretch beyond basic C-major territory — you've got nine chords here, and a few of them, especially the B♭ and D diminished, will feel unfamiliar under your fingers at first.

Your left hand keeps a steady pedal bass, which means it mostly anchors on one repeated note while your right hand moves through the chord changes, so start hands-separate and get that right hand confident before combining.

At 114 BPM the pace is moderate, but watch the transitions into B♭ and the E7 — those shapes sit differently on the keys, so loop those specific measures slowly until the reach feels natural.

The D diminished chord is brief but easy to fumble; know exactly which three notes you're hitting before you arrive.

Once it clicks, you'll find this song genuinely builds your comfort with chromatic chords outside the home key, which is a skill that opens up so much repertoire down the road.

About “Absolute Beginners”

What key is "Absolute Beginners" in?: "Absolute Beginners" by David Bowie is in the key of C with a tempo of 114 BPM. Difficulty: beginner.
Is "Absolute Beginners" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated beginner, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Absolute Beginners" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Absolute Beginners"?: This arrangement of "Absolute Beginners" uses 9 chords: Am, Bb, C, Ddim, Dm, E, E7, F, +1 more.
How long does it take to learn "Absolute Beginners" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by David Bowie can I play here?: Try "Changes", "UNDER PRESSURE", "YOUNG AMERICANS". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.