What key is "It Ain't Necessarily So" in?

"It Ain't Necessarily So" by George Gershwin is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "It Ain't Necessarily So" 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 "It Ain't Necessarily So" 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 "It Ain't Necessarily So" on piano?

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

What other songs by George Gershwin can I play here?

Try "LITTLE JAZZ BIRD", "SWANEE", "WHO CARES?". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

It (Gm)ain’t ne ces (C)sa ri ly (Gm)so,

it (Gm)ain’t ne ces (C)sa ri ly (Gm)so,

de (C7)t’ings dat yo’ (Db7)li’ ble to (C7)read in de (Db7)Bi ble, it (A7)ain’t ne ces (D7)sa ri ly (C)so.

Li’l (Gm)Da vid was (C)small, but oh (Gm)my!

He (C7)fought big Go (Db7)li ath who (C7)lay down an’ (Db7)di eth!

Li’l (A7)Da vid was (D7)small, but oh (C)so.

Li’l (Gm)my!

Oh, (Gm)Jo nah, he (C)lived in a (Gm)whale,

oh, (Gm)Jo nah, he (C)lived in de (Gm)whale,

fo’ (C7)he made his (Db7)home in dat (C7)fish ’s ab (Db7)do men.

Oh, (A7)Jo nah, he (D)lived in de (C)whale.

Li’l (Gm)Mo ses was (C)found in a (Gm)stream,

li’l (Gm)Mo ses was (C)found in a (Gm)stream,

he (C7)float ed on (Db7)wa ter till (C7)ole Phar aoh’s (Db7)daugh ter, she (A7)fished him, she (D)says, from that (C)whale.

Li’l (Gm)stream.

It ain’t ne ces (C)sa ri ly (Gm)so,

it (Gm)ain’t ne ces (C)sa ri ly (Gm)so.

Dey (C7)tell all you (Db7)chil lun de (C)deb ble’s a (Db7)vil lun, But (A7)’tain’t ne ces (D)sa ri ly (Gm)so.

To (Db)get in to (Ab)Heb ben don’ (Eb)snap for a (Ab)seb ben!

Live (Am7)clean!

Don’ (D7)have no (G)fault.

Oh, (C7)I takes dat gos pel when (F6)ev er it’s (Gm7)pos’ ble, but (A7sus)wid a (A7)grain of (D)salt.

Me (Gm)thus’ lah lived (C)nine hun dred (Gm)years,

but (C7)who calls dat (Db7)liv in’ when (C7)no gal ’ll (Db7)give in to (A7)no man what’s (D)nine hun dred (C)years?

I’m (Cm6)preach in’ dis ser mon to (G)show,

it (C)ain’t nes sa, (B7)ain’t nes sa, (Em)aint’t nes sa, (A)ain’t nes sa, (G)ain’t ne ces (D)sa ri ly (G6)so.

It Ain't Necessarily So by George Gershwin

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Eb at 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “It Ain't Necessarily So”

What key is "It Ain't Necessarily So" in?: "It Ain't Necessarily So" by George Gershwin is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "It Ain't Necessarily So" 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 "It Ain't Necessarily So" 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 "It Ain't Necessarily So" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by George Gershwin can I play here?: Try "LITTLE JAZZ BIRD", "SWANEE", "WHO CARES?". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

It Ain't Necessarily So

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It Ain't Necessarily So

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Lyrics

It Ain't Necessarily So by George Gershwin

About “It Ain't Necessarily So”

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