What key is "Being Alive" in?

"Being Alive" by Stephen Sondheim is in the key of C with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Being Alive" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, 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 "Being Alive" 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.

How long does it take to learn "Being Alive" on piano?

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

What other songs by Stephen Sondheim can I play here?

Try "LOSING MY MIND", "Agony (Film Version)", "Any Moment - Part I". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Some one to hold you too (F)close,

(C)some one to hurt you too (Fdim)deep,

(Cmaj7)some one to sit in your (Am7)chair and ru in your (Em)sleep and make you a (Em)ware of be ing a (Dm7)live.

(C)Some one to need you too (F)much,

(C)some one to know you too (Fdim)well;

(Cmaj7)some one to pull you up (Am7)short and put you through (Fmaj7)hell and give you sup (C)port for be ing a (Dm7)live,

be ing a live.

Make me a live,

make me con (Ab)fused,

(Bb)mock me with (C)praise,

(B)let me be (Ab)used,

(Bb)var y my (G7sus)days.

But a lone

is a lone,

not a (Db)live.

(C)Some bod y hold me too (F)close,

(C)some bod y force me to (Fdim)care,

(Cmaj7)some bod y make me come (Am7)through, I’ll al ways be (Fmaj7)there as fright ened as (C)you of be ing a (Dm7)live,

be ing a live,

(CN.C.)be ing a (C)live.

Being Alive by Stephen Sondheim

6 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 80 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Being Alive”

What key is "Being Alive" in?: "Being Alive" by Stephen Sondheim is in the key of C with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Being Alive" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, 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 "Being Alive" 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.
How long does it take to learn "Being Alive" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Stephen Sondheim can I play here?: Try "LOSING MY MIND", "Agony (Film Version)", "Any Moment - Part I". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.