What's Going On
by Marvin Gaye
Rewritten for piano by another musician.
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Rewritten for piano by another musician.
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About What's Going On
Piano sheet music for What's Going On by Marvin Gaye, free to view and play along. Grade 4 (Intermediate (Grade 4)) piece suitable for students at about grade 4 level.
"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is a grade 4-level piano piece with a duration of approximately 2:43. A Grade 4 piece featuring sixteenth notes, triplets, and a larger repertoire of techniques. Suitable for confident intermediate players. This arrangement is ideal for pianists with 3-4 years of experience. Marvin Gaye's composition showcases sixteenth notes and triplets and key signatures up to 4 sharps/flats, making it an excellent choice for developing these essential skills.
Released in 1971, 'What's Going On' is a poignant commentary on social issues and personal struggles. Marvin Gaye's smooth vocals and the song's lush instrumentation create a powerful emotional impact.
Is it right for you?
Who it's for
- Students at about Grade 4 level
- Self-taught pianists with solid fundamentals
- Those comfortable with varied repertoire
- Players looking to expand their technique
Skill level: Grade 4
- Level
- Intermediate (Grade 4)
- Experience
- 3-4 years
- Length
- 2:43
What you'll learn
Technical skills
- Scales and arpeggios
- Sixteenth note passages
- Triplet patterns
- Independent hand movement
- Pedal technique
- Varied articulation
Musical concepts
- Sixteenth notes and triplets
- Key signatures up to 4 sharps/flats
- Expressive dynamics
- Tempo variations (ritardando, accelerando)
- Musical phrasing
How long it takes
To learn
3-5 weeks with dedicated practice
Practice time
30-60 minutes daily
To master
6-10 weeks to performance-ready
Practice tips
- Analyze the piece structure before starting
- Practice difficult sections at half tempo
- Focus on musical expression, not just notes
- Record yourself to identify areas for improvement
- Work on maintaining consistent tempo
Need fingering? Add finger numbers to What's Going On with our free piano fingering tool.