View chords used in this chart
D Edim Bm
Look at you you're just as blind
A G G/F# Em A
Trying to grab your little piece of mind
Bm A E
And you want to hold it near
A E
But you know you can't keep it
D Edim Bm
Say a little should suffice
A G G/F# Em A
But more than a little of you is so nice
Bm A E
And you give me what I want
-Chorus-
D A
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
Bm A E
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
D A
Well I find it all the time
D A
But Not when I need it
-Verse (chords same as 1st half of 1st verse above)-
No two days are quite the same
I look at me life I really can't complain
And you come so easily
-chorus-
D A
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
Bm A E
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
D A
Well I find it all the time
D-----------
Not when I need it
-bridge-
Bm A G
The feeling's getting out of hand
Bm A E
But I can't have you on demand
G A
I can hang onto a dream
D Edim Bm (solo over verse chords)
But I can't hold it
-verse (chords as before)-
Late at night I'm filled with fear
That I can't take for granted that you'll
Always be near
And it makes me hate myself
-chorus-
D A
To think I can't see it (not when I need it)
Bm A E
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
D A
Well I find it all the time
Bm A E
Not when I need it (not when I need it)
D D
Well I find it all the time
D Edim Bm A G G/F# Em A Bm A E
Not when I need it
-----
"Not When I Need It"
transcribed by kevin gardner code@wam.umd.edu
h = hammer on
p = pull off
verse
D A Bm Bm/A
-----0h2p0---------0--------------------------
-------------------2----------2h3---------3---
---2-------2-----2----------4-----4---------4-
-0-------------2----------4-------------4-----
---------------------0--2-------------0-------
----------------------------------------------
G G/F# E
-----3--------3-------0-------
-------3-------3--------0-3-2-
---0--------0-------------2-2-
---0--------0-------2---------
------------------------------
-3--------2-------0-----------
Bm Bm/A E
------------------------------0-----------
-------2h3---------3------------0---------
-----4-----4---------4------------1-------
---4-------------4----------2-------2-----
-2-------------0----------2-----------2---
------------------------0-----------------
D
-----0h2p0------------------------
-----------3------------2-2-3-5-2-
---2---------2---2------2---------
-0-------------0------2-----------
--------------------0-------------
----------------------------------
How to play #
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.