Flake

by Jack Johnson
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

(Dm)I know she said, “It’s al right.

You will make it up next time.”

(Dm)I know she knows it’s not right.

There ain’t no use in lyin’.

Well, (Dm)may be she thinks I know some thin’, may be, may (Bb)be she thinks it’s fine.

Or (Dm)may be she knows some thin’ I don’t.

I’m so,

I’m so tired,

I’m so tired of try in’.

It seems to me that may

be

it pret ty much al ways means no.

So don’t tell me

you (C)might just let it go.

But of ten times we’re la

zy.

It seems to stand in my way,

’cause (Bb)no one, no, not no one likes to be let down.

(Dm)I know she loves the sun rise,

no long er sees it with her (F)sleep ing eyes, and

I know that when she said she’s (F)gon na try.

Well, it might not work be cause of (F)oth er ties.

And

I know she u su’ly has some (F)oth er ties.

And

I would n’t wan na break ’em now, I would n’t wan na break ’em.

May be she’ll help me (F)to un tie this, but un til then, well,

I’m gon na have to lie, too.

It seems to me that may

be

it pret ty much al ways means no.

So don’t tell me

you (C)might just let it go.

The hard er that you try, ba by, the hard er you’ll fall,

e ven with all the mon ey in the whole wide world.

(F)Please, please, please don’t pass me, please, please, please don’t pass me, please please, please don’t pass me by.

Ev ’ry thing you know a bout me, now ba by, you’re gon na have to change.

You’re gon na call it by a brand new name.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, (F)please, please, please don’t drag me, please, please, please don’t drag me, please, please, please don’t drag me down.

Just like the tree down by the wa ter, ba by, I shall not move,

e ven af ter all the sil ly things you do.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, (F)please, please, please don’t drag me, please, please, please don’t drag me, please, please, please don’t drag me down.

Flake — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

11 people have learned this song

Watch "Flake" by Jack Johnson in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of Bb, 92 BPM.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with left-hand octave bass patterns — your left hand will stay busy bouncing between root-note octaves at a steady 92 BPM, so start hands-separate and focus on keeping that pulse relaxed and even before adding the right hand.

You're working in the key of B♭ with five chords, and the trickiest moment is the A major chord — it's borrowed from outside the key and uses a C♯, so your fingers need to commit to that shape without hesitating.

Pay special attention to the transition from A up to B♭, since it's just a half-step shift that can sound sloppy if you rush it.

Loop that two-chord move slowly until it feels automatic.

The upbeat pop rhythm against the melancholic harmony gives the song its tension, so once your hands are together, resist speeding up — lock into the groove and let the feel breathe.

This is the piece that'll make B♭-major chord shapes feel like home under your hands.

About “Flake”

Can I learn "Flake" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "Flake" with hands-separate practice in Bb at 92 BPM.
What key is "Flake" by Jack Johnson played in?
Flake is arranged in the key of Bb on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Flake"?
The arrangement plays at 92 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Flake" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Flake"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Flake"?
"Flake" was originally performed by Jack Johnson. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Flake"?
This arrangement uses 5 chords: A, Bb, C, Dm, F.
What other songs by Jack Johnson can I play here?
Try "Monsoon", "Flake", "If I Had Eyes". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can I practice left and right hand separately for "Flake"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "Flake" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "Flake"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "Flake" is in the key of Bb at 92 BPM.