What key is "Piano Man" in?

"Piano Man" by Billy Joel is in the key of C with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Piano Man" 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 "Piano Man" 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 "Piano Man"?

This arrangement of "Piano Man" uses 10 chords: Am, C, Cmaj7, D7, Dm7, Em, F, G, +2 more.

How long does it take to learn "Piano Man" on piano?

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

What other songs by Billy Joel can I play here?

Try "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT", "EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM", "CAPTAIN JACK". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

It’s (C)nine o’ (Em)clock on a (Am)Sat ur day,

the (F)reg u lar (C)crowd shuf fles (D7)in.

There’s an (C)old man

sit ting (Am)next to me

mak in’ (F)love to his (G11)ton ic and (C)gin.

He says, (C)“Son, can you (Em)play me a (Am)mem o ry?

I’m (F)not real ly (C)sure how it (D7)goes,

but it’s (C)sad and it’s (Em)sweet and I (Am)knew it com (C)plete when (F)I wore a (G11)young er man’s (C)clothes.”

(Am)Da da da

de de (D7)da,

da da

de de (D7)da

da da.

(C)Sing us a (Em)song, you’re the (Am)pia no man.

(F)Sing us a (C)song to (D7)night.

Well, we’re (C)all in the (Em)mood for a (Am)mel o dy,

and (F)you’ve got us (G11)feel in’ al (C)right.

Now (C)John at (Em)bar is a (Am)friend of mine.

He (F)gets me my (C)drinks for a (D7)free,

and he’s (C)quick with

or to (Am)light up me

but there’s (F)some place his (G11)he’d rath er (C)be.

He says, (C)“Bill, I be (Em)lieve this is (Am)kill ing me,”

as (F)smile ran a (C)way from his (D7)face.

“Well, I’m (C)sure that I (Em)could be a (Am)mov ie my (C)star if (F)I could get (G11)out of this (C)place.”

(Am)Da da da

de de (D7)da,

da da

de de (D7)da

da da.

(C)Sing us a (Em)song, you’re the (Am)pia no man.

(F)Sing us a (C)song to (D7)night.

Well, we’re (C)all in the (Em)mood for a (Am)mel o dy,

and (F)you’ve got us (G11)feel in’ al (C)right.

Now

Piano Man by Billy Joel

25 people have learned this song

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

About “Piano Man”

What key is "Piano Man" in?: "Piano Man" by Billy Joel is in the key of C with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Piano Man" 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 "Piano Man" 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 "Piano Man"?: This arrangement of "Piano Man" uses 10 chords: Am, C, Cmaj7, D7, Dm7, Em, F, G, +2 more.
How long does it take to learn "Piano Man" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Billy Joel can I play here?: Try "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT", "EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM", "CAPTAIN JACK". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.