Don't Ask Me Why by Billy Joel
Don't Ask Me Why by Billy Joel runs at 141 BPM in 4/4 and is in the key of Bb major. It is built on 6 chords — Bb, Eb7, C7, F7, Eb, D7. Released in 1980.
✓ Key sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected. See how we verify →
What to watch for
At least one shape here is a full barre — one finger pressing all six strings, no open strings to lean on. Fret it unplugged first; if a string buzzes, it's the barre, not the chord. Listen for the 7th in these chords — it's the note doing most of the harmonic pull, and it's the first thing that disappears if you fret only the plain triad underneath it.
Practice at the right tempo
This song sits at 141 BPM. Start at 60% until the changes are clean — speed is a by-product of accuracy, not a goal.
Learn the theory
Play it on a live fretboard
Every shape, every voicing, and the scale that fits over them — on a board you can hear. Then just talk to it: Melody Monkey's personal music teacher controls the fretboard, so ask for a chord, a scale, a progression, or why any of it works, and watch it land under your fingers. Free to start.
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Frequently asked questions
What key is Don't Ask Me Why in?
Don't Ask Me Why is in Bb major, sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected.
What tempo is Don't Ask Me Why?
Don't Ask Me Why runs at 141 BPM (or 70 half-time).
What chords does Don't Ask Me Why use?
Don't Ask Me Why is built on 6 chords: Bb, Eb7, C7, F7, Eb, D7.
Does Don't Ask Me Why need barre chords?
Yes — at least one shape is a full barre (one finger across all six strings). Everything else on the page is a standard open shape.
What tuning is Don't Ask Me Why in?
This recording sits about 16 cents sharp of concert pitch (A=444.1Hz, not 440Hz). Tune to the track or you'll fight it the whole way.