Hello! Below you'll find my "Teach Your Children" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This classic song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young has great, timeless lyrics and beautiful 3-part harmonies. In the lesson video, I teach a very basic (but still great sounding) version, and then layer in some optional details for the rhythm and bassline.
Enjoy!
Teach Your Children Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Teach Your Children:
Teach Your Children Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| D | G | D | A |
| D | G | D | A |
[Verse 1]
D G
You, who are on the road
D A
Must have a code, that you can live by
D G
And so, become yourself
D A
Because the past, is just a goodbye
[Chorus 1]
D G
Teach your children well
D A
Their father's hell, did slowly go by
D G
And feed, them on your dreams
D A
The one they pick's, the one you'll know by
D G
Don't you ever ask them why
D
If they told you, you would cry
Bm G A
So just look at them and sigh
(D)
And know they love you
[Solo]
| D | G | D | A |
[Verse 2]
D G
And you, of tender years
(Can you hear and) (do you care and)
D A
Can't know the fears, that your elders grew by
(Can you see we) must be free to)
D G
And so please help, them with your youth
(Teach your children what you believe and)
D A
They seek the truth, before they can die
(Make a world that) (we can live in)
D G
And you, of tender years
(Can you hear and) (do you care and)
D A
Can't know the fears, that your elders grew by
(Can you see we) must be free to)
D G
And so please help, them with your youth
(Teach your children what you believe and)
D A
They seek the truth, before they can die
(Make a world that) (we can live in)
[Chorus 2]
D G
Teach, your parents well
D A
Their children's hell, will slowly go by
D G
And feed, them on your dreams
D A
The one they pick's, the one you'll know by
D G
Don't you ever ask them why
D
If they told you, you would cry
Bm G A
So just look at them and sigh
(D)
And know they love you
D G
Teach, your parents well
D A
Their children's hell, will slowly go by
D G
And feed, them on your dreams
D A
The one they pick's, the one you'll know by
D G
Don't you ever ask them why
D
If they told you, you would cry
Bm G A
So just look at them and sigh
(D)
And know they love you
[Outro]
| D | G | D A | D |
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.
Teach Your Children 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 "Teach Your Children" 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: "Teach Your Children" 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.
