Other arrangements of If
Pick a learning view.
If a (A)pic ture paints a thou sand words, then why can’t I paint (Bm7)you?
The words will nev er show
the you I’ve come to know.
If a (A)face could launch a thou sand ships,
then (A9)where am I to go?
There’s no one home but you;
you’re all that’s left me (E7)too.
And when
my love
for life is run ning (D6)dry,
you (C#)come
and pour
your (Bm7)self
on (E7)me.
If a (A)man could be two plac es at one time, I’d be with (Bm7)you
to mor row and to day,
be side you all the way.
If the (A)world should stop re volv ing, spin ning (A9)slow ly down to die,
I’d spend the end with you;
and when the world was (E7)through,
then one
by one
the stars would all go (D6)out.
Then (C#)you
and I
would (Bm7)self
on (E7)me.
If a (Bm7)sim
ply (D)fly
a (A)way.
If — Classic Piano Sheet Music
9 people have learned this song
Read "If" by Bread in classic piano notation — both hands, real chords + notes, in the published key of A. Engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML; click any note to jump there as the score follows along at 100 BPM.
This arrangement is a lovely way to get comfortable with extended chords — you'll encounter shapes like Amaj9, A9, and Bm7 that add richness without demanding big stretches, so pay attention to how each voicing colors the melody differently.
Your left hand follows an oompah bass pattern throughout, which at 100 BPM gives you plenty of time to land each bass note before bouncing up to the chord, but the real challenge is keeping that pattern smooth and quiet beneath the right-hand melody.
Watch the transition from D6 into E7 and then the pull to F#7 — that's where most students stumble, so loop those two bars hands-separate until the fingering feels automatic.
Use the sustain pedal lightly, changing it with each new bass note to avoid muddiness.
Start at around 70 BPM and only speed up once both hands feel relaxed.
This is the piece that will make ninth chords feel like home under your fingers.
Try other practice modes:
About “If”
- Is this the same engraved sheet music a piano teacher would print for "If"?
- Yes — the score is rendered server-side from the publisher MusicXML using Verovio (the same engine RISM and OpenScore use). Standard piano notation, treble + bass staves, real chord symbols, key signature A. Print-quality and identical to what you'd see in a printed piano book.
- What key is "If" by Bread played in?
- If is arranged in the key of A on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "If"?
- The arrangement plays at 100 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "If" easy to play on piano?
- Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
- Can I download sheet music for "If"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "If"?
- "If" was originally performed by Bread. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "If"?
- This arrangement uses 10 chords: A, A9, Amaj9, Bm7, C#m7, D, D6, E7, +2 more.
- What other songs by Bread can I play here?
- Try "BABY, I'M-A WANT YOU", "EVERYTHING I OWN", "IT DON'T MATTER TO ME". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Is this the same notation a piano teacher would hand me?
- Yes — "If" is rendered at engraver quality (the Verovio engine, the same toolkit RISM and OpenScore editions use) from the original publisher MusicXML. You get standard piano notation: treble + bass clefs, key signature A, time signature, beams, dynamics — everything a printed sheet music book would have. Great for piano students learning to read music properly.
- What's the difference between Sheet Music and the other modes here?
- Sheet Music is the "classic" view — the one your piano teacher uses. Other modes (Beginner, Fall Down, Simple Sheet, Lead Sheet) trade real notation for color-coded notes and falling shapes to help absolute beginners. Use Sheet Music once you're ready to read both hands at once from real notation.
- Can I practice from this view at my own pace?
- Yes — slow the tempo from 100 BPM down (or up) without changing the pitch. The score scrolls in time and the currently playing note is highlighted, so you can drill a tough bar at half speed and bump it up once it feels comfortable.
- Why can I click a note in the score?
- Every notehead is interactive. Click and the audio jumps to that moment so you can drill a specific phrase or bar instead of replaying from the top. The currently playing note is highlighted as the music advances so your eye never loses its place.
- Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
- Yes — Sheet Music PDF is one of the download formats for this song. The engraved score prints page-perfect on A4 / Letter so you can practice from paper as well as on screen.
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