Can a complete beginner play "Cry Me A River"?

Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Cry Me A River" is simplified for beginners.

Do I need to read music to play "Cry Me A River"?

No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Cry Me A River" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.

Cry Me A River — Beginner Piano Tutorial

Learn "Cry Me A River" on piano — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded notes show you exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of C, 74 BPM.

Tip: Break this song into sections and master each one separately. The speed control lets you drill difficult passages at any tempo.

Lyrics

(Am)Be. (Am)Be. (F)Be. You were my sun, you were my earth, but you did n’t know all the ways I loved you, no. So you took a chance and made oth er plans, but I bet you did n’t think that they would come crash ing down, no. (Am)You don’t have to say (E)what you did. I (F)al read y know; I (Dm6)found out from him. (Am)Now there’s just no chance for (E)you and me; there’ll (F)nev er be. And don’t it make you sad a bout it? You told me you loved me. Why did you leave me all a lone? Now you tell me you need me when you call me on the phone. Girl, I re fuse. You must have me con (F)fused with some oth er guy. Your bridg es were burned. Now it’s your turn to cry. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv (CN.C.)Yeah, yeah. I know that they say that some things are (F)bet ter left un said, but it was n’t like you on ly talked to him, and you know it. (Don’t (CN.C.)act like you don’t know it.) But all of these things peo ple told me keep (F)mess ing with my head. You should have picked hon es ty; then you may not have blown it. (Am)You don’t have to say (E)what you did. I (F)al read y know; I (G)found out from (CN.C.)him. (Am)Now there’s just no chance for (E)you and me; there’ll (F)nev er be. And don’t it make you sad a bout it? You told me you loved me. Why did you leave me all a lone? Now you tell me you need me when you call me on the phone. Girl, I re fuse. You must have me con (F)fused with some oth er guy. Your bridg es were burned. Now it’s your turn to cry. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv (G)Yeah, yeah. (Am)Oh, the dam age is (F)done, so I guess I’ll be leav ing. (Am)Oh, the dam age is (F)done, so I guess I’ll be leav ing. (F)done, so I guess I’ll be leav ing. (Am)You don’t have to say (E)what you did. I (F)al read y know; I (G)found out from (CN.C.)him. (Am)Now there’s just no chance for (E)you and me; there’ll (F)nev er be. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv er, cry me a riv er. Cry me a riv (G)Oh, cry me a riv er. (E7sus)Oh, cry me a riv er. (Dm6)Oh, cry me a riv er. (E7sus)Oh, cry me a riv er. (Dm6)Oh, cry me a riv er.

Try other practice modes:

Falling Notes Lead Sheet Bar Sheet Simple Sheet

Song Details

Category: Pop
Key: C
Tempo: 74 BPM
Difficulty: hard
Artist: Justin Timberlake

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How to Play "Cry Me A River" on Piano

1
Pick a practice mode — Choose from Fall Down, Beginner, Lead Sheet, Bar Sheet, or Simple Sheet — each mode visualizes the music differently to match your learning style.
2
Practice each hand separately — Use the Left, Right, and Both buttons to isolate the bass or treble part and build muscle memory one hand at a time.
3
Adjust speed and turn on metronome — Slow down to 50% while learning, then gradually speed up. Enable the metronome to keep steady timing.
4
Loop a section — Select a tricky part and loop it until you nail it. Perfect for mastering difficult passages.
5
Download sheet music — Export a PDF of the sheet music to print out and practice on your real piano anytime, anywhere.