What key is "Imagine" in?

"Imagine" by John Lennon is in the key of C with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: beginner.

Is "Imagine" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated beginner, 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 "Imagine" 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 "Imagine"?

This arrangement of "Imagine" uses 7 chords: Am, C, Dm7, E7, F, G, G7.

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

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

What other songs by John Lennon can I play here?

Try "HAPPY XMAS", "STARTING OVER", "MIND GAMES". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Im ag ine there’s no heav (F)en.

It’s eas y if you (G)try.

No hell be low (F)us,

a bove us on ly (F)sky.

Im ag ine (Am)all the peo ple

(G)liv ing for to day.

(G7)A ha.

Im ag ine (C)there’s no coun (F)tries.

It is n’t (C)hard to do.

Noth ing to (C)kill or die (F)for,

and no rel ig ion (G)too.

Im ag ine (Am)all the peo ple

(G)liv ing life in peace,

(G7)yu huh.

You may (G)say I’m a (C)dream er,

but I’m (G)not the on ly (C)one.

I hope some (G)day you’ll (C)join us,

and the (G)world will (C)be one.

Im ag ine (C)there’s no coun (F)tries.

It is n’t (C)hard to do.

Noth ing to (C)kill or die (F)for,

and no rel ig ion (G)too.

Im ag ine (Am)all the peo ple

(G)liv ing life in peace,

(G7)yu huh.

You may (G)say I’m a (C)dream er,

but I’m (G)not the on ly (C)one.

I hope some (G)day you’ll (C)join us,

and the (G)world will (C)be one.

(C)live as one.

Imagine by John Lennon

49 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 120 BPM. Difficulty: beginner. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build your Alberti bass technique — your left hand will roll broken-chord patterns underneath simple right-hand melody lines, and keeping that left hand smooth and even at 120 BPM is really the core skill here.

Most of the chords sit comfortably in C major, but watch the E7 when it appears: that G♯ can catch your fingers off guard if you're on autopilot, so isolate any passage moving from Am to E7 and loop it slowly until the hand shape feels natural.

The Dm7-to-G7 transition is another spot worth drilling hands-separately before you combine them.

Start at about 80 BPM, lock in the left-hand pattern until it's automatic, then layer the melody on top.

Once it clicks, you'll have a reliable Alberti bass you can carry into dozens of other pieces — that's the real payoff here.

About “Imagine”

What key is "Imagine" in?: "Imagine" by John Lennon is in the key of C with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: beginner.
Is "Imagine" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated beginner, 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 "Imagine" 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 "Imagine"?: This arrangement of "Imagine" uses 7 chords: Am, C, Dm7, E7, F, G, G7.
How long does it take to learn "Imagine" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by John Lennon can I play here?: Try "HAPPY XMAS", "STARTING OVER", "MIND GAMES". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.