How to read the numbers: 1=C, 4/4 time
1=C means C is do. Numbers 1 through 7 mean C, D, E, F, G, A, B. This melody uses only 1 through 6. Start at middle C (C4) and use the white keys.
Each number below lasts one beat; an em dash extends the previous note by one beat. A bar line separates measures of four beats. These numbers are scale degrees, not finger numbers or computer keys.
Complete numbered notation: all six phrases
Phrase 1 (A): 1 1 5 5 | 6 6 5 — |
Phrase 2 (A): 4 4 3 3 | 2 2 1 — |
Phrase 3 (B): 5 5 4 4 | 3 3 2 — |
Phrase 4 (B): 5 5 4 4 | 3 3 2 — |
Phrase 5 (A): 1 1 5 5 | 6 6 5 — |
Phrase 6 (A): 4 4 3 3 | 2 2 1 — |
Play the opening phrase on a computer keyboard
On this site, K plays C4, W plays G4 and E plays A4. The opening 1 1 5 5 6 6 5 becomes K K W W E E W. On a phone, tap the piano keys.
The example below shows computer keys rather than scale degrees. Open the related Twinkle song and start guided practice. The song page primarily guides pitch order; the dashes here add note-length information.
Practise phrases, then connect the melody
- 1
Start at 60 beats per minute: one beat per number, two for the final note.
- 2
Practise phrase two descending from 4 to 1, then connect the first two phrases.
- 3
Repeat the middle phrase twice, descending from 5 to 2.
- 4
Finish by repeating the opening two phrases. Once the pulse is steady, try the melody from memory.