The reason the song was changed is to make it possible to play this song with three pitches early in the students’ musical learning. This is not traditionally how the song was performed. In band and instrumental literature, it is typically performed the same as Mary Had A Little Lamb without the jump up to sol (or G in C major) at the end of the first phrase. It was later released as its own song in 1867. Merrily We Roll Along is the chorus of the song Goodnight Ladies written by Edwin Pearce Christy in 1847. However, their history actually shows that the songs are somewhat different. So much so that the two are considered interchangeable. Merrily We Roll Along’s connection with Mary is iconic and long-standing. Merrily We Roll Along Vs Mary Had A Little Lamb Supposedly, a young girl named Mary Sawyer took her lamb at school one day, and the incident inspired the now-famous lyrics. (You may also enjoy checking out Skip To My Lou.) Unlike many folk songs, we have a clear origin of this folk song which is credited to Sarah Joseph Hale in 1837. Mary Had A Little Lamb is a folk song based on an American nursery rhyme. What Is The Meaning Of Mary Had A Little Lamb? For more visuals and piano music learning, check out this video. The fancy ending plays two 2s and then ends with 3 2 1.Ĭongrats! Now you know how to play Mary Had A Little Lamb on piano. With my students, it just comes down to repetition. In all honesty, this is the part most people have trouble with. ![]() Now, you add on the beginning including the three 3s.Īnd it’s time for the fancy ending. Note: Instead of jumping to 5, you could just repeat 3 again twice. You pinky or little finger should be playing this note. Then, jump up to your 5 finger on either G (two white keys up for people starting on E) or Db (next black key up for people starting on Bb). #4 Repeat 3, 2, And JumpĪdd on two more 3s. Once you’ve got this, it’s time for the next step. Starting on finger 3, your job is to play down and then right back up like this: I will tell them how to play the notes in the following way. Before I let a music learner see the notes, I want them to hear it. This is Gb and finger 3.įor the rest of this explanation, I’ll just refer to finger numbers. Next, place your thumb on the bottom black key. If you start on Bb, place your pointer on the middle black key. This is called C, and we’ll the thumb “3”. Next, place your thumb on the next white key. This note is D, and we’ll call the pointer “2”. If you start on E, place your pointer/index finger on the white key to the left of finger 3. Using your right hand, put your middle finger on the key you chose from before. Bb is the right-most of the 3 black keys. If choosing Bb (the easiest option), look for the group of 3 black keys. The E is the white key to the right and touching the right-most of the 2 black keys. If choosing E, look for the two black keys. For brand-new people, I recommend either E or Bb. #1 Find The Correct Pitchįind your correct starting pitch. Here are the steps I take when teaching new piano players how to play Mary Had A Little Lamb. Music practice is all about breaking the steps for music learning down. If you start on Bb (the right-most black key in the group of 3), you can play it easily. Playing Mary Had A Little Lamb isn’t tricky, and there is a shortcut as well. ![]() This easy usage of notes is why the music director will use this as a staple song in the beginning of instrumental music education. For the purposes of children singers and recorders, you may be better off putting it in the key of G major. Traditionally, Mary Had A Little Lamb is performed in C major, but any major key will work. Look at how solfege syllables work and how it develops an ear for music learning. Most often, you’ll it in the key of C major which I’ve included in the notation as follows.
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