Can a complete beginner play "On A Slow Boat To China"?

Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "On A Slow Boat To China" is simplified for beginners.

Do I need to read music to play "On A Slow Boat To China"?

No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "On A Slow Boat To China" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.

On A Slow Boat To China — Beginner Piano Tutorial

Learn "On A Slow Boat To China" on piano — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded notes show you exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of Eb, 100 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

Lyrics

(Bb)I’d (Dm7)love to (G7)get you on a (Cm)slow boat to (C#dim7)Chi na, (Bb)all to my (D7)self, a (Eb)lone. (Cm)Get you and (C#dim7)keep you in my (Bb)arms ev er (D)more, (C7)leave (Gm7)all your (C9)lov ers (Cm7)weep ing on the (F9)far a (Gb9)way (F9)shore. (Bb)Out (Dm7)on the (G7)brin y with a (Cm)moon big and (C#dim7)shin y, (Bb)melt ing your (D7)heart of (Eb)stone, (Cm7)I’d love to (Ab7)get you (A7)on a (Bb)slow (Ab7)boat to (G7)Chi na, (C7)all to my (Cm7)self, (B)a (Bb)lone. (Bb)I’d (Dm7)love to (G7)get you on a (Cm)slow boat to (C#dim7)Chi na, (Bb)all to my (D7)self, a (Eb)lone. (Cm)Get you and (C#dim7)keep you in my (Bb)arms ev er (D)more, (C7)leave (Gm7)all your (C9)(lov lies) (Cm7)weep ing on the (F9)far a (Gb9)way (F9)shore. (Bb)Out (Dm7)on the (G7)brin y with a (Cm)moon big and (C#dim7)shin y, (Bb)melt ing your (D7)heart of (Eb)stone, (Cm7)I’d love to (Ab7)get you (A7)on a (Bb)slow (Ab7)boat to (G7)Chi na, (C7)all to my (Cm7)self, (B)a (Bb)lone. (Bb)lone. There is no (Bb)verse to this song, ’cause I don’t (Bb)want to wait a (Edim7)mo ment too long (Cm7)to (F7)say that (Bb)lone.

Try other practice modes:

Falling Notes Lead Sheet Bar Sheet Simple Sheet

Song Details

Category: Musical/Soundtrack
Key: Eb
Tempo: 100 BPM
Difficulty: medium
Artist: Frank Loesser

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How to Play "On A Slow Boat To China" on Piano

1
Pick a practice mode — Choose from Fall Down, Beginner, Lead Sheet, Bar Sheet, or Simple Sheet — each mode visualizes the music differently to match your learning style.
2
Practice each hand separately — Use the Left, Right, and Both buttons to isolate the bass or treble part and build muscle memory one hand at a time.
3
Adjust speed and turn on metronome — Slow down to 50% while learning, then gradually speed up. Enable the metronome to keep steady timing.
4
Loop a section — Select a tricky part and loop it until you nail it. Perfect for mastering difficult passages.
5
Download sheet music — Export a PDF of the sheet music to print out and practice on your real piano anytime, anywhere.