Frere Jacques

Four short phrases, each one repeated. Perfect for memorising by ear.

Level:
2 of 6
Hands:
Right hand
Key:
C major
Notes:
32
Range:
G3 to A4
One run:
about 25 seconds at 80 bpm

The notes, in order

32 notes, one at a time.

  1. C4
  2. D4
  3. E4
  4. C4
  5. C4
  6. D4
  7. E4
  8. C4
  9. E4
  10. F4
  11. G4
  12. E4
  13. F4
  14. G4
  15. G4
  16. A4
  17. G4
  18. F4
  19. E4
  20. C4
  21. G4
  22. A4
  23. G4
  24. F4
  25. E4
  26. C4
  27. C4
  28. G3
  29. C4
  30. C4
  31. G3
  32. C4

How to practise it

  1. Every phrase happens twice, so you only learn four ideas
  2. The last phrase drops to G below the thumb: shift the hand
  3. A natural canon, try it against a friend once it is solid

The scale behind it

This one is built on the C Major scale: C D E F G A B (no sharps or flats). Its right-hand fingering runs 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, and the scale page has the full diagram if you want to hear the shape on its own first.

How to play it here

Play along on the keys with your mouse, your computer keyboard, a touch screen, or a MIDI keyboard you have plugged in. Every key can show its own name, and the metronome will hold the tempo while you work through the 32 notes.

What it trains

  • folk
  • first tune
  • hand position

More melodies

Real tunes, so there is something to play once the drills have paid off.

All piano exercises