What key is "Ben" in?

"Ben" by Michael Jackson is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Ben" 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 "Ben" 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 "Ben"?

This arrangement of "Ben" uses 12 chords: A7, Bb, C, C7, D7, Dbaug, Eb7, F, +4 more.

How long does it take to learn "Ben" on piano?

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

What other songs by Michael Jackson can I play here?

Try "MAN IN THE MIRROR", "YOU ROCK MY WORLD", "LOVING YOU". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(F)Ben, the two of us need (C7)look no more.

(F)We both found what we were (C7)look ing for.

(F)With a friend to call my (A7sus)own, I’ll (A7)nev er be a (Eb)lone, and (D7)you, my friend, will (G)see, you’ve (C7)got a friend in me.

(Fm)Ben, you’re al ways run ning (C7)here and there.

(Fm)You feel you’re not want ed (C7)an y where.

(F)If you ev er look be (A7sus)hind and (A7)don’t like what you (Eb)find, there’s (D7)some thing you should (G)know.

You’ve (C7)got a place to go.

I (Gm7)used to say

(Fmaj7)I and me.

(Gm7)Now it’s us,

(F)now it’s we.

I (Gm7)used to say

(Fmaj7)I and me.

(Gm7)Now it’s us,

(F)now it’s we.

(F)Ben, most peo ple would turn (C7)you a way.

(F)I don’t lis ten to a (C7)word they say.

(F)They don’t see you as I (C7)do; I wish they would try (Eb7)to.

I’m (D7)sure they’d think a (Db)gain if they (C7)had a friend like (F)Ben,

(a (F)friend)

like (F)Ben,

(like (F)Ben,)

(Gm7)like (F)Ben.

Ben by Michael Jackson

33 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 90 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a beautiful exercise in keeping your right-hand melody smooth and singing while your left hand navigates some colorful chord changes — at 90 BPM in B♭, the tempo is gentle enough to give you breathing room, so use it.

The twelve chords here include a few that may surprise you: watch especially for the D♭aug shape, which will feel unfamiliar under your fingers, and the secondary dominants like A7 and D7 that briefly pull you outside the home key.

I'd suggest learning the left-hand chord progression alone first, drilling the shifts between F, Fmaj7, and F6 until they feel like small finger adjustments rather than full hand resets.

Use the sustain pedal lightly to connect chord tones, but lift cleanly on each change to avoid muddiness.

Once both hands are comfortable separately, combine them in short four-bar loops.

This is the piece that'll make chromatic chord movement feel natural to you.

About “Ben”

What key is "Ben" in?: "Ben" by Michael Jackson is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Ben" 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 "Ben" 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 "Ben"?: This arrangement of "Ben" uses 12 chords: A7, Bb, C, C7, D7, Dbaug, Eb7, F, +4 more.
How long does it take to learn "Ben" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Michael Jackson can I play here?: Try "MAN IN THE MIRROR", "YOU ROCK MY WORLD", "LOVING YOU". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.