How To Play Mary Had a Little Lamb on the Piano

Mary Had a Little Lamb is one of the easiest songs to learn to play the piano or introduce a small child to the instrument.The basic melody uses only 3 fingers on the right hand to play and is a repetitive pattern.C major is the easiest key to play.There are more complex variations in different keys that you can play with both hands.

Step 1: In C position, place the thumb and first 2 of your right hand.

To play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" in C major, use the white key in the middle of the keyboard and the 2 keys to the right of it.In C position, you can play the first 5 notes of the C major scale.The song can be played with just 3 keys, although you can get more complicated with it once you have the basic melody down.

Step 2: Play E D C E E.

The first line of the song is composed of these notes.You can sing along to the song "Mary had a little lamb."Each syllable has one note for it.If you know the third line of the song, you already know half the first verse.While this song can be played with a single finger, you should practice using all 3 fingers to get used to it.This skill is needed if you want to play more complex arrangements later.

Step 3: Go to the second line by playing D D E E.

The second line of the song is "little lamb, little lamb," and just uses the last 2 notes you played for the first line, each repeated 3 times.You can use your finger to play the G key in an alternate version.The third line should be added after you've played the second line because it's the same as the first line.

Step 4: For the last line of the verse, play E D D C.

The last line of the song is "its fleece was white as snow"You will play one note for each word of the lyrics.You can now play "Mary Had a Little" if you play all 4 lines together.

Step 5: The same melody is repeated for the next verse.

There is more than one verse in the song.The same notes are used in all of the verses.You can play the whole song if you learn the first verse.There are four parts to the song.If you don't know the full lyrics, you can find them at AllNurseryrhymes.com.The song "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is based on a true story of a 14-year-old American girl who took her pet lamb to school in the 1700s.

Step 6: For each note, identify the conjugates.

Every note on the piano has a corresponding harmony.The root note is the single note you would play in the melody.Play every other key after adding 2 notes above that note.If you're teaching piano to a small child, this is a great opportunity to introduce some music theory into your lesson in a practical, hands-on way.

Step 7: Make a shape with your hands.

You can play 3 notes at a time instead of just a single note by moving your hand up and down the keyboard.While playing, keep your hands in the same position.Don't use black keys if you start with C major.You might need to practice before you can harmonize the melody in other scales that require you to play black keys as well.You should keep your wrists loose and your fingers straight.It's important that your fingers aren't stiff or clawed.

Step 8: As you play the melody, move your hand.

You don't need a single note to play a harmonize melody.If you play this way, your thumb will always be on the root note of the melody.If you're just getting started, you may want to try playing the entire melody with just your thumb.This will teach you how to move your hand up and down on the keyboard.

Step 9: You can play the song in G major by shifting your hand.

If you want to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb," all you have to do is slide your hand up the keyboard until your thumb rests on the G key.Black keys aren't needed for the basic melody in G major.If you're playing the basic melody of the song, use the same pattern you used when you played it in C major.

Step 10: When playing the song in D major, use F sharp.

If you want to play D major, you have to put your thumb on the D.The black key to the right of F will be used when you play the first 5 notes of the D major scale.The first note of the melody is F sharp because the pattern starts with your middle finger.The same fingering pattern is followed from there.When you switch keys, you can write down the names of the notes.

Step 11: It's possible to play the melody in A major.

Move your thumb to the A key, just like in the other keys.The first five notes of the A major scale are played by your 4 fingers.The song starts on the black key since the pattern starts with your middle finger.The song is the same as when you played it in C major.

Step 12: Give the melody a left hand melody.

If you're playing the melody with your right hand, you can use the left hand to add depth to the song.If you are playing in C major, alternate between the C and the G major.If you want to play the G major, you need to move your hand down from the C major.As you play the song, you just move your hand back and forth.You can see the letter on the sheet music.For a song like "Mary Had a Little Lamb," the first note of each bar is the harmonizer.The softer parts of the song you want to play more subtly should be omitted."Mar-y had a little lamb, its fur was white as snow," you would add from the lyrics.