Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

The classic first tune. Two hand positions, all white keys.

Level:
1 of 6
Hands:
Right hand
Key:
C major
Notes:
14
Range:
C4 to A4
One run:
about 13 seconds at 80 bpm

The notes, in order

14 notes, one at a time.

  1. C4
  2. C4
  3. G4
  4. G4
  5. A4
  6. A4
  7. G4
  8. F4
  9. F4
  10. E4
  11. E4
  12. D4
  13. D4
  14. C4

How to practise it

  1. Start with the thumb on C, reach up to G with finger 5
  2. The second half walks straight back down the scale
  3. Keep every note the same length

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 14 notes.

What it trains

  • folk
  • first tune

More melodies

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

All piano exercises