Other arrangements of What It Takes
Pick a learning view.
(G)There goes my old girl friend, there’s an oth er dia mond ring.
And, uh, (Em)all those late night prom (D)is es (C)I guess they don’t mean a thing.
So (G)ba by, what’s the sto ry?
Did you find an oth er man?
Is it (Em)eas y to sleep in the bed that we made?
When you (C)don’t look back, I guess the feel ings start to fade a way.
I (G)used to feel your fire, but now it’s (Em)cold in side.
And you’re (C)back on the street like you did n’t miss a beat, yeah.
Tell me what it takes to let you (F)go.
Tell me how the pain’s sup posed to (F)go.
Tell me how it (A)is that you can (Dm)sleep in the (Dm)night with out (B)think ing you lost ev ’ry thing that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it (Db)takes to let you go.
Yeah.
(G)Girl, be fore I met you I was F I N E, fine.
But your (Em)love made me a pris (D)on er, (C)yeah, my heart’s been do ing time.
You (G)spent me up like mon ey, then you hung me out to dry.
It was (Em)eas y to keep all your lies in dis guise, ’cause you (C)had me in deep with the dev il in your eyes.
Tell me what it takes to let you (F)go.
Tell me how the pain’s sup posed to (F)go.
Tell me how it (A)is that you can (Dm)sleep in the (Dm)night with out (Bdim7)think ing you lost ev ’ry thing that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it (Db)takes to let you go.
Gui tar!
Tell me that you’re hap py that you’re on your (G)own.
Yeah yeah.
(Bb)Yeah, tell me that it’s bet ter when you’re all a (F)lone.
Tell me that your bod y does n’t (Eb)miss my (Db)touch.
Tell me that my lov in’ did n’t mean that (Ab)much.
Tell me you ain’t dy in’ when you’re cry in’ for (C)me.
Tell me what it takes to let you (F)go.
Tell me how the pain’s sup posed to (F)go.
Uh, tell me how it (A)is that you can (Dm)sleep in the (Dm)night with out (B)think in’ you lost ev ’ry thing that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me who’s to (Db)blame for think in’ twice,
no no no no, ’cause I don’t wan na (Db)burn in par a dise.
Oo.
Let go.
Let go.
Let go.
(F)I don’t wan na burn in par a dise.
Let it (Dm)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it (Bb)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it (F)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it (Dm)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it (Bb)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it (F)go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it
What It Takes — Simple Sheet Music
9 people have learned this song
"What It Takes" in simplified sheet music format — the bridge between beginner modes and real sheet music. Color-coded notes with lyrics scrolling horizontally. Perfect for learning to read music. Key of G, 76 BPM.
This arrangement is a fantastic workout for navigating chromatic chord movement — with 17 chords including Aaug, Bdim7, and shifts through Db, Ab, and Eb, your hands need to stay relaxed and ready to travel.
At 76 BPM you have breathing room, but don't let that fool you; the walking bass in your left hand demands smooth, even finger transitions while your right hand voices some unusual shapes like that Bb7 and Bdim7.
Start hands-separate and really drill the left hand's bass line until it feels automatic — once you add the right hand, you won't have mental bandwidth to think about both.
Watch the transition from Bm7 to Bb and the chromatic descents especially; those are where most students stumble, so loop those two-bar passages slowly before speeding up.
Pedal lightly through the ballad sections but lift cleanly on each bass step so the walking line doesn't blur.
This is the piece that'll build your confidence moving through chromatic key centers — a skill that unlocks so much of real-world pop-rock playing.
Try other practice modes:
About “What It Takes”
- How does Simplified Piano Arrangement differ from full sheet music for "What It Takes"?
- Simplified Arrangement keeps the melody and chords on a simplified staff with lyrics, color-coded for easy recognition. It's a learner-bridge between Beginner mode and the classic engraved Sheet Music — same song, less visual density.
- What key is "What It Takes" by Aerosmith played in?
- What It Takes is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "What It Takes"?
- The arrangement plays at 76 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "What It Takes" easy to play on piano?
- This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
- Can I download sheet music for "What It Takes"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "What It Takes"?
- "What It Takes" was originally performed by Aerosmith. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "What It Takes"?
- This arrangement uses 17 chords: Aaug, Ab, Bb, Bb7, Bdim7, Bm7, C, D, +9 more.
- What other songs by Aerosmith can I play here?
- Try "DREAM ON", "DREAM ON", "LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Is Simple Sheet good for learning to read sheet music?
- Yes! Simple Sheet bridges the gap between beginner color-coded modes and traditional notation. Notes are displayed on a simplified staff with colors, lyrics, and chords — helping you build music reading skills gradually while still enjoying "What It Takes". Key of G, 76 BPM.
- What's the difference between Simple Sheet and Lead Sheet?
- Simple Sheet shows a more streamlined, horizontally scrolling view with color-coded notes on a staff and lyrics below — like a simplified version of real sheet music. Lead Sheet shows melody with chord symbols above and full lyrics. Simple Sheet is the next step toward reading traditional notation.
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