What key is "Scarlet Begonias" in?

"Scarlet Begonias" by Grateful Dead is in the key of E with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Scarlet Begonias" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Scarlet Begonias" 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 "Scarlet Begonias"?

This arrangement of "Scarlet Begonias" uses 4 chords: A, B, E, F#. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.

How long does it take to learn "Scarlet Begonias" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Grateful Dead can I play here?

Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

As (E)I was walk in’ ’round Gros ve nor (B)Square,

not a (E)chill to the win ter but a nip to the (B)air.

From the oth er di (E)rec (B)tion (A)she was call ing my (E)eye.

It could be an il lu

(B)sion, (A)but I might as well (E)try, might as well (B)try.

She had (E)rings on her fin gers and bells on her (B)shoes,

and I knew with out ask in’ she was in to the (B)blues.

She wore scar let be (E)go (B)nias

tucked in to her the (E)curls.

I knew right of a (E)way (B)she was (A)not like oth there er (E)girls, oth there er (B)girls.

In the (E)thick of the eve ning when the ing got (B)rough,

she was too pat to o pen and was too cool to (B)bluff.

As I picked up my (E)match (B)es

and was clos ing the (E)door,

I had one of those (E)flash (B)es was (A)not I’d been there be (E)fore, been there be (B)fore.

In the

Well, I (F#)ain’t of ten right, but I’ve nev er been wrong.

(B)Sel dom turns out the way it (A)does in the (E)song.

(F#)Once in a while, you get shown the light in the (B)strang est of plac es if you (A)look at it (E)right.

Well, there (E)ain’t noth in’ wrong with the way she (B)moves,

or (E)scar let be go nias or a touch of the (B)blues.

And there’s noth in’ (E)wrong (B)with the look that’s in her (E)eye.

I had to learn the (E)hard (B)way

to let her pass (E)by, let her pass (B)by.

The (E)wind in the wil lows play in’ for (B)Two,”

the (E)sky was be yel low and the sun of was (B)blue.

Stran gers stop pin’ (E)stran (B)gers the just to shake their (E)hand.

Ev ’ry bod y is (E)play (B)ing

in the of gold (E)band, heart of gold (B)by.

The (B)band.

Scarlet Begonias by Grateful Dead

5 people have learned this song

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

About “Scarlet Begonias”

What key is "Scarlet Begonias" in?: "Scarlet Begonias" by Grateful Dead is in the key of E with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Scarlet Begonias" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Scarlet Begonias" 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 "Scarlet Begonias"?: This arrangement of "Scarlet Begonias" uses 4 chords: A, B, E, F#. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.
How long does it take to learn "Scarlet Begonias" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Grateful Dead can I play here?: Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.