What key is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" in?

"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" by The Beatles is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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 "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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 "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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

(C)Joan was quiz zi cal, (A)stud ied pat a phys i cal (Dm)sci ence in the home,

late nights all a lone with a test tube, (C)oh, oh, oh, oh.

(C)Max well Ed i son, (A)ma jor ing in med i cine, (Dm)calls her on the phone:

The “Can I take you out to the pic tures, (C)Jo

o o oan?”

But (D7)as she’s get ting read y to go,

a (G)knock comes on the (G7)door.

(C)Bang!

Bang!

Max well’s sil ver ham mer came (D)down up on her head.

(G)Clang!

Clang!

Max well’s sil ver ham mer made (G7)sure that she was (C)dead.

(C)Back in school a gain, (A)Max well plays the fool a gain, (Dm)teach er gets an noyed,

wish ing to a void an un plea sant (C)sce

e e ene,

(C)she tells Max to stay (A)when the class has gone a way.

(Dm)So he waits be hind,

The writ ing fif ty times, “I must not be (C)so

o o o.”

But (D7)when she turns her back on the boy, he (G)creeps up from be (G7)hind.

(C)Bang!

Bang!

Max well’s sil ver ham mer came (D)down up on her head.

(G)Clang!

Clang!

Max well’s sil ver ham mer made (G7)sure that she was (C)dead.

Sil (E7)ver

(Am)ham (C7)mer.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer by The Beatles

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Maxwell's Silver Hammer”

What key is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" in?: "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" by The Beatles is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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 "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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 "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 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.