Hello! Below you'll find my "Changes" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This beautiful and emotional song by Black Sabbath has a super cool piano part. The underlying chords are very simple, though it has a few quirks and interesting rhythms that make it so effective. I explain all those details in the lesson video.
Enjoy!
Changes Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Changes:
Changes Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
(- -) C | C - Dm/C | C | C - Dm/C | C |
(- -) C | C - Dm/C | C | C - Dm/C | C |
[Verse 1]
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
I feel unhappy I feel so sad
Dm C Dm/C C
I lost the best friend, that I ever had
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
She was my woman I loved her so
Dm C Dm/C C
But it's too late now, I've let her go
[Chorus 1]
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
[Instrumental 1]
| F | Em | Dm | Dm |
| G | F | Am | Am - G | Am | Am |
| F | Em | Dm | Dm |
| G | F | Am | Am - G | Am | Am |
| C - Dm/C | C | C - Dm/C | C |
[Verse 2]
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
We shared the years we shared each day
Dm C Dm/C C
In love together, we found a way
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
But soon the world had its evil way
Dm C Dm/C C
My heart was blinded, love went astray
[Chorus 2]
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
[Instrumental 2]
| F | Em | Dm | Dm |
| G | F | Am | Am - G | Am | Am |
| F | Em | Dm | Dm |
| G | F | Am | Am - G | Am | Am |
| C - Dm/C | C | C - Dm/C | C |
| Dm | Dm | C - Dm/C | C |
| C - Dm/C | C | C - Dm/C | C |
[Verse 3]
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
It took so long to realize
Dm C Dm/C C
And I can still hear, her last goodbyes
C Dm/C C C Dm/C C
Now all my days are filled with tears
Dm C Dm/C C
Wish I could go back, and change these years
[Chorus 3]
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
F Em Dm
I'm going through changes
[Instrumental 3]
| F | Em | Dm | Dm |
| G | F | Am | Am - G | Am |
| Am - G | Am | Am - G | Am | Am |
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Changes Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Changes" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Changes" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
