What key is "This Is The Time" in?

"This Is The Time" by Billy Joel is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 132 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "This Is The Time" 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 "This Is The Time" 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 "This Is The Time"?

This arrangement of "This Is The Time" uses 17 chords: A7, Bb, Bbmaj7, Bbsus2, C, Dm, Dm7, Eb, +9 more.

How long does it take to learn "This Is The Time" 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

We walked on the (Eb6/9)beach be side that (Fsus2)old ho tel.

They’re tear in’ it (Eb6/9)down now, but it’s (Fsus2)just as well.

I have n’t shown you (Eb6/9)ev ’ry thing a (Fsus2)man can do,

so stay with me, (Eb6/9)ba by; I’ve got (Fsus2)plans for you.

This is the time

to re mem ber, ’cause it will not last for ev er.

These are the days

to hold on to, ’cause we won’t al though we’ll want to.

This is the time,

but time is gon na (G7sus)change.

You’ve giv en me the (Gb)best of you,

but now I need the (Bb)rest (F)of you.

We walked on the (Eb6/9)beach be side that (Fsus2)old ho tel.

They’re tear in’ it (Eb6/9)down now, but it’s (Fsus2)just as well.

I have n’t shown you (Eb6/9)ev ’ry thing a (Fsus2)man can do,

so stay with me, (Eb6/9)ba by; I’ve got (Fsus2)plans for you.

This is the time

to re mem ber, ’cause it will not last for ev er.

These are the days

to hold on to, ’cause we won’t al though we’ll want to.

This is the time,

but time is gon na (G7sus)change.

I know we’ve got to (Gb)move some how,

but I don’t want to (Bb)lose (F)you now.

Some times it’s so (Fmaj7)eas y to let a (Bb)day

slip on (C)by

with out e ven (Fmaj7)see ing each oth er at (Bb)all.

But this is the (Fmaj7)time you’ll turn back to and (Gm7)so

will (E)I,

and those will be (Fmaj7)days you can nev er re (Bbsus2)call.

al though we’ll want to.

This is the time,

but time is gon na (G7sus)change.

You’ve giv en me the (Gb)best of you,

but now I need the (Bb)rest (F)of you.

This Is The Time by Billy Joel

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 132 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “This Is The Time”

What key is "This Is The Time" in?: "This Is The Time" by Billy Joel is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 132 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "This Is The Time" 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 "This Is The Time" 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 "This Is The Time"?: This arrangement of "This Is The Time" uses 17 chords: A7, Bb, Bbmaj7, Bbsus2, C, Dm, Dm7, Eb, +9 more.
How long does it take to learn "This Is The Time" 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.