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Joel, Billy - Honesty

Chords & Piano Lesson
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Billy Joel - Honesty
Hello! Below you'll find my "Honesty" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
 

This song by Billy Joel is a total classic with an incredible piano part. Some of the chords have a big stretch, but I give options in the video to keep things a bit easier. 

Enjoy!

Lesson Video
Chord Chart

Honesty Piano Tutorial

Here's a piano tutorial video for Honesty:

Honesty Chords & Lyrics

[Intro]
| Bb | Bbm/Ab | Gbmaj7 | F7 |
 
[Verse 1]

Bb                        Eb              F                      Dm7
  If you search for tenderness,  it isn't hard to find
Eb                          Gm7
  You can have the love
                      Am7 | Cm7 - Dm/F F7sus2 |
  You need to live
Bb                           Csus2+4 C
  And if you look for truthfulness
                 F/C       C#dim Dm
You might just as well be blind
   Eb                       A9                  D7sus4 D7*
It always seems to be so hard to give

[Chorus 1]
Eb     F9    D/F#              Gm Fadd9
Honesty is such a lonely word
Eb               F   Eb/F   Bb  D7*
Everyone is so untrue-ue
Eb     F9    D/F#           Gm     Fadd9
Honesty is hardly ever heard
       Eb                 F       Eb/Bb       Bb   Eb/F*
But mostly what I need from you - ou

[Verse 2]
Bb                  Eb                 F                             Dm7
  I can always find someone  to say they sympathize
Eb                 Gm7
  If I wear my heart out
            Am7 | Cm7 - Dm/F F7sus2 |
On my sleeve
Bb                                 Csus2+4 C
  But I don't want some pretty face
     F/C      C#dim Dm
To tell me pretty   lies
Eb               A9                    D7sus4 D7*
All I want is someone to believe

[Chorus 2]
Eb    F9     D/F#              Gm   Fadd9
Honesty is such a lonely word
Eb               F   Eb/F    Bb D7*
Everyone is so untrue-ue
Eb    F9     D/F#           Gm     Fadd9
Honesty is hardly ever heard
      Eb                  F       Eb/Bb     Bb Eb/F
But mostly what I need from you-ou

[Interlude]
| Bbm/Ab | Gbmaj7 | F7 |

[Bridge]
Gm                       D7/G
  I can find a lover,    I can find a friend
Fm6                             Cadd2/E
  I can have security until the bitter end
Cm/Eb          Dm/F    F7sus2  Eb/Bb     Bb
  Anyone can comfort me with  promises again
  C9sus4  C         Dm/F  D7/F#  D7     Eb    Eb/F*
I know, (I know) I know   whoa   whoa ohhh

[Verse 3]
Bb                       Eb               F                    Dm7
  When I'm deep inside of me,   don't be too concerned
Eb                    Gm7                     Am7 
  I won't ask for nothing while I'm gone

| Cm7 - Dm/F F7sus2 |

Bb                    Csus2+4 C
  When I want sincerity
            F/C             C#dim  Dm
Tell me where else can   I   turn?
           Eb                         A9            D7sus4 D7*
Cause you're the one that I depend upon

[Chorus 3]
Eb    F9     D/F#              Gm  Fadd9
Honesty is such a lonely word
Eb                F  Eb/F   Bb  D7*
Everyone is so untrue-ue
Eb    F9     D/F#           Gm    Fadd9
Honesty is hardly ever heard
       Eb                 F       Eb/Bb    Bb
But mostly what I need from you-ou

[Outro]
| Bbm/Ab | Gbmaj7 | F7 |
| Ebm(maj7) | Dm/F F(7) | Bb |

[Intro Notes]
                            F        F         Gb
                   Db              Db               Eb
        Bb       Bb              Bb                A          D
 F                Ab              Gb    Gb           G F
 1  2  3  4  |  1  2  3  4  |  1  2  3  4  |  1  2  3  4  |
Bb              Ab              Gb                F

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.
Honesty 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 "Honesty" 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: "Honesty" 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.
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