Can I practice left and right hand separately for "The Way It Is"?

Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "The Way It Is" one hand at a time before combining them.

What is falling notes style for "The Way It Is"?

Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "The Way It Is" is in the key of G at 120 BPM.

The Way It Is — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

1 person has learned this song

Watch "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of G, 120 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

Lyrics

(Em7)Stand in’ in line, mark in’ time, ty to (D)wait in’ for the (C)wel fare lit dime (D)more, ’cause ’cause you they can’t buy a (C)job. I The (Am7)man in the silk suit (Em7)hur ries by. As he (D)catch es the poor old (C)la dies’ eyes, just for fun think he a bout says, it be fore you “Get a job.” rules?” He said: Son, That’s just the way it is. Some things will (C)nev er change. That’s just the (C)way it is. Ah, but (C)don’t you be lieve them. Said, (Em7)“Hey, lit tle boy, you can’t go ty to (D)give those where the (C)oth ers lit go (D)more, ’cause but it don’t look like they (C)do.” ’Cause said, (Am7)“Hey, old the man, an (Em7)how can you stand to (D)think it sees at that (C)way? Did you real ly line think on a bout the it be fore you made the bar. rules?” He said: Son, That’s just the way it is. Some things will (C)nev er change. That’s just the (C)way it is. Ah, but (C)don’t you be lieve them. Said, Well, they

Try other practice modes:

Beginner Lead Sheet Bar Sheet Simple Sheet

Song Details

Category: Pop
Key: G
Tempo: 120 BPM
Difficulty: easy
Artist: Bruce Hornsby

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How to Play "The Way It Is" 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.