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Tutorial: how to play “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers on the piano

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Video tutorial

Learn to play “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers on piano. Start a free trial today to access the lesson!

Introduction

One of the soulful gems by the legendary artist Bill Withers is the poignant track titled “When She’s Gone”. Released in 1974, this soulful masterpiece delves into the emotions of loneliness and longing experienced when a loved one is no longer present. Bill Withers’ soul-stirring vocals and heartfelt lyrics beautifully encapsulate the profound feelings of missing someone dearly.

This song is not only a reflection of personal emotions but also a testament to Withers’ ability to connect with listeners on a deep, emotional level through his music. The chord progression of G – C – G – D in the key of G major sets the tone for a melancholic yet uplifting musical journey.

The piano skill level required to play “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers is intermediate. To master this piece, one should be proficient in smooth arpeggios and delicate fingerpicking patterns. These techniques, coupled with a heartfelt interpretation, will convey the emotional depth of the song accurately.

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Chords charts

The chords for “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers are:

Piano Chord G-Major
Piano Chord C-Major
Piano Chord D-Major

Lesson plan

Step 1: listen to the song

Listen to the song “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers a couple of times to get a sense of its overall structure and nuances.

Step 2: practice the “When She’s Gone” chords

Take a look at the chord charts and practice playing those chords. Make sure that you’re paying attention to your hand positioning.

Step 3: try the tune in the right hand

Try playing the melody in the right hand only initially and get accustomed to it.

Step 4: learn the left hand accompaniment

Now take a look at the accompaniment in the left hand and get more familiar with that part.

Step 5: play both hands together

Once you’ve learned the song for both hands separately, you can try playing hands together. It’s helpful to start slowly and then increase tempo as you get more accustomed to playing both parts simultaneously. You can use the metronome in the Skoove app to help with this.

Interesting facts

1. Emotional Depth: “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers showcases the artist’s ability to convey deep emotions through his soulful vocals and poignant lyrics. The song resonates with listeners due to its raw portrayal of loneliness and heartache.

2. Timeless Classic: Despite its release in 1974, “When She’s Gone” continues to be appreciated by music lovers of all ages. Its timeless appeal lies in its universal themes of love, loss, and longing.

3. Musical Brilliance: Bill Withers’ talent as a musician shines through in “When She’s Gone,” with the song’s chord progression of G – C – G – D adding a soulful and melancholic tone to the composition.

4. Mid-Level Difficulty: The song is rated as having a mid-level difficulty, making it accessible to intermediate piano players looking to challenge themselves with a beautiful and emotive piece.

5. Influential Genre: Withers’ contribution to the soul genre is undeniable, and “When She’s Gone” serves as a testament to his impact on the music industry with its masterful blend of soulful storytelling and musicality.

Conclusion

Congratulations! By following this tutorial on “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers, you have learned to play the beautiful chord progression in G major – G, C, and D. You have delved into the soulful world of Bill Withers’ music, capturing the emotions of loneliness and longing through heartfelt lyrics and soulful vocals. By practicing the smooth arpeggios and delicate fingerpicking patterns on the piano as demonstrated in this tutorial, you have gained a deeper understanding of expressing emotions through music.

Keep exploring the world of music and piano playing by trying out more songs and techniques. Each new lesson you undertake brings you closer to mastering the piano and unlocking the full potential of your musical talents.

Ready to take your piano skills to the next level? Sign up for more lessons today and witness the transformative power of music in your life!

FAQs for “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers

The chord progression of “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers in the key of G major is G – C – G – D.

The genre of “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers is Soul.

“When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers was released in 1974.

The difficulty level of playing “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers on the piano is mid.

The song “When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers features a combination of smooth arpeggios and delicate fingerpicking patterns on the piano.

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Generated by AI with Verified Data Sources

This piano tutorial has been produced using an innovative AI process where we integrate data from respected sources like GetSongbpm API, the YouTube API, OpenAI API, and Perplexity API. Our approach carefully combines tese resources to create structured, user-friendly piano learning content.”

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