What key is "Brick" in?

"Brick" by Ben Folds Five is in the key of D with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Brick" 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 "Brick" 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 "Brick"?

This arrangement of "Brick" uses 9 chords: A, Bm7, D, D6, Dsus4, E7, G, G6, +1 more.

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

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

What other songs by Ben Folds Five can I play here?

Try "YOU DON'T KNOW ME", "Army", "Battle Of Who Could Care Less". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Six A.

day af ter Christ mas, I throw some clothes on in the dark.

The smell of cold,

car seat is freez ing, the world is sleep ing, I am

numb.

They Up the stairs

to her a part ment, I she is balled up on (G6/9)the couch.

Her mom and dad

went down to Char lotte, and they’re not home to find (G6/9)us out.

And we drive.

Now that I have found some one, Now I’m (D)feel ing more a lone

than I (Bm7)ev er have be fore.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (A)drown ing slow ly off (A)the coast and I’m (A)head ed no (D6/9)where.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (A)drown ing slow ly.

numb.

They call her name

at sev en thir ty.

I pace a round the park (G6/9)ing lot,

and I walk down

to buy her flow ers

and sell some gifts that I (G6/9)us got.

Can’t you see

it’s not me you’re dy ing for?

Now she’s (D)feel ing more a lone

than she (Bm7)ev er has be fore.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (A)drown ing slow ly off (A)the coast and I’m (A)head ed no (D6/9)where.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (A)drown ing slow ly.

As (E7)weeks went by they showed that she was (Dsus)not fine.

They (E7)told me, “Son, it’s time to tell the (Dsus)truth,” and

she (E7)broke down

and I broke down

’cause (Dsus)I was (E7sus)tired

of ly ing.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (A)drown ing slow ly

off (A)the coast and I’m (A)head ed no (D6/9)where.

She’s (A)a brick and I’m (Bm7)drown ing (A)slow ly.

Brick by Ben Folds Five

11 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to work on smooth chord transitions in D major while your left hand holds a steady pedal bass — meaning you'll anchor on that D note underneath while your right hand moves through the chord changes above it.

At 100 BPM the tempo is gentle, but watch the shifts between D, Dsus4, and D6 closely; those voicings differ by just one note, so accuracy matters more than speed.

The Bm7 to E7 move is your trickiest transition — isolate it, loop it slowly, and make sure your fingers know the shape before you try to play through.

I'd suggest hands-separate practice first: get that left-hand pedal bass feeling automatic, then layer in the right-hand chords.

Once both hands are comfortable, focus on dynamics — this is a sad ballad, so let the quiet passages breathe and resist the urge to play everything at one volume.

This song will genuinely strengthen your sus-chord and sixth-chord vocabulary, shapes that show up constantly in singer-songwriter and pop-rock repertoire.

About “Brick”

What key is "Brick" in?: "Brick" by Ben Folds Five is in the key of D with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Brick" 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 "Brick" 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 "Brick"?: This arrangement of "Brick" uses 9 chords: A, Bm7, D, D6, Dsus4, E7, G, G6, +1 more.
How long does it take to learn "Brick" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Ben Folds Five can I play here?: Try "YOU DON'T KNOW ME", "Army", "Battle Of Who Could Care Less". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.