What key is "Martha My Dear" in?

"Martha My Dear" by The Beatles is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 190 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Martha My Dear" 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 "Martha My Dear" 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 "Martha My Dear"?

This arrangement of "Martha My Dear" uses 18 chords: A, Ab, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Bb, Bb7, Bbmaj7, C7, +10 more.

How long does it take to learn "Martha My Dear" on piano?

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

What other songs by The Beatles can I play here?

Try "DAY TRIPPER", "PLEASE MR. POSTMAN", "SHE'S LEAVING HOME". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Eb)Mar tha my dear, though I spend my (Gm)days in (Gm)con ver (C7)sa tion, (F)please

re mem ber (Bb)me.

(Ab)Mar tha my love,

(Ab)don’t for get me,

(Ab)Mar tha my dear.

(Dm7)Hold your head up, you (Gm9)sil ly girl,

(F6)look what you’ve done.

When you find your self in the (C7)thick of it, (Gm)help your self to a (C7)bit of what is (A)all a round you,

sil ly girl.

Take a (Dm7)good look a (G9)round you,

take a good look.

You’re (G9)bound to see

that (C11)you and me

were (Bbmaj7)meant to be for each oth er, sil ly girl.

(Eb)Mar tha my dear, you have al ways (Gm)been my (Gm)in spi (C7)ra tion, (F)please

be good to (Bb)me.

(Ab)Mar tha my love,

(Ab)don’t for get me,

(Ab)Mar tha my dear.

Martha My Dear by The Beatles

85 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 190 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a fantastic workout for navigating jazzy chord colors in a rock context — your left hand will settle into an octave bass pattern that anchors everything, but your right hand needs to stay nimble across shapes like Abmaj7, Gm7, and Bb7 that shift by small intervals.

At 190 BPM it moves briskly, so start at half tempo and get the transitions between Gm9 and C7 smooth before you speed up — that's where most students stumble, because the voicing jumps catch you off guard.

Practice hands separately through the verse first, then combine once your left hand's octave jumps feel automatic.

Watch the move from Dm7 to G9 especially; keep your thumb relaxed and pivot rather than leaping.

Use pedal sparingly — just enough to connect the bass octaves without muddying those extended chords.

By the time this feels comfortable, you'll have real confidence reading and moving through major seventh and ninth chord shapes, which opens up a huge range of repertoire for you.

About “Martha My Dear”

What key is "Martha My Dear" in?: "Martha My Dear" by The Beatles is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 190 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Martha My Dear" 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 "Martha My Dear" 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 "Martha My Dear"?: This arrangement of "Martha My Dear" uses 18 chords: A, Ab, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Bb, Bb7, Bbmaj7, C7, +10 more.
How long does it take to learn "Martha My Dear" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by The Beatles can I play here?: Try "DAY TRIPPER", "PLEASE MR. POSTMAN", "SHE'S LEAVING HOME". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.