The Gourds - Steeple Full of Swallows
In this piano lesson you will learn to play the melody to the popular song Happy Birthday To You. You do not have to read sheet music. Instead we will use a form of piano tab notation to play the melody.
We will start with the note C4 or the middle C on a piano or keyboard. The number 4 indicate that the note is played in the fourth octave of a piano or grand piano.
If you have a small piano keyboard the note will obviously not be in the fourth octave but nevertheless C4 will be the middle C on that keyboard.
Here is the melody with the corresponding lyrics written above. In the lyrics I have written the chords that can be played with your left hand. This is optional of course. I will write down the chords later in this lesson. Maybe the best approach is to learn the melody by heart first and then include the chords:
Happy (F)birthday to (C7)you
C4 C4 D4 C4 F4 E4
I will now write down the chords you need if you want to use your left hand:
F: C3 F3 A3
C3 means that you play the note C in the octave to the left of where you play the melody. Play this note with your left hand pinkie, the note F3 with your index and the note A3 with your thumb.
Play C5 with your left hand pinkie, E3 with your middle finger and Bb5 with your thumb. Bb is the black note immediately to the left of the note B.
Let us continue with the melody:
Happy (C7)birthday to (F)you
C4 C4 D4 C4 G4 F4
Happy (F)birthday dear (Bb)Lisa
C4 C4 C5 A4 F4 E4 D4
Time for the next chord:
Bb: Bb2 D3 F3
You can use your left hand pinkie, middle finger and thumb to play this chord.
Remember, the note Bb is the black key immediately to the left of B.
Happy (F)birthday (C7)to (F)you
Bb4 Bb4 A4 F4 G4 F4
I suggest that you practice and memorize one line at a time. If you want to include the left hand chords it is a good idea to practice them without the melody part until you have mastered them. Then it is time to practice them with the melody one line at a time.
The piano notation I have used are only meant to be an aid for you as you learn the melody by heart. This melody is really worth learning. Birthdays are not uncommon things!
Peter Edvinsson invites you to download your free piano sheet music and free piano lessons at http://www.capotastomusic.com
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