What key is "If I Only Had The Nerve" in?

"If I Only Had The Nerve" by Harold Arlen is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 165 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "If I Only Had The Nerve" 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 "If I Only Had The Nerve" 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.

How long does it take to learn "If I Only Had The Nerve" on piano?

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

What other songs by Harold Arlen can I play here?

Try "OVER THE RAINBOW", "Over The Rainbow", "A Sleepin' Bee". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(CN.C.)Yeah, it’s (Eb)sad, be lieve me, mis sy, when you’re (Bb7)born to be a sis sy with (Eb)out the vim and verve.

But I (Fm7)could show my pro wess, be a (Bb7)li on, not a mou ess if I (CN.C.)on ly had the nerve.

I’m a (Eb)- fraid there’s no de ny in’: when I’m (Bb7)just a dan de li on, a (Eb)fate I don’t de serve.

I’d be (Fm7)brave as a bliz zard.

I’d be (Bb7)gen tle as a li zard.

I’d be (CN.C.)on ly had the nerve.

I’m a (Fm)clev er as a giz zard.

If the (Bb7)Wizard is Wizard (Ab)who will (Cm)serve.

Then I’m sure to get a (Eb)brain.

A heart.

A home.

The nerve!

Oh.

We’re (Fm)off to see the Wi zard, the (Ab)won der ful Wi zard of Oz.

We (Db)hear he is a whiz of a wiz if (Eb)ev er a wiz there was.

If (Fm)ev er, oh ev er, a wiz there was, the (Ab)Wi zard of Oz is one be cause, be (Db)cause, be cause, be cause, be cause, be (Bb)cause,

be (Eb7)cause of the won der ful things he does.

We’re (Fm)off to see the Wi zard, the (Ab)won der ful Wi zard of Oz!

If I Only Had The Nerve by Harold Arlen

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 165 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “If I Only Had The Nerve”

What key is "If I Only Had The Nerve" in?: "If I Only Had The Nerve" by Harold Arlen is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 165 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "If I Only Had The Nerve" 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 "If I Only Had The Nerve" 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.
How long does it take to learn "If I Only Had The Nerve" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Harold Arlen can I play here?: Try "OVER THE RAINBOW", "Over The Rainbow", "A Sleepin' Bee". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.