Beginner piece
How to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on piano
An American nursery song from the 1830s. It is a gentle step up from Hot Cross Buns because the tune moves up and down a few notes and has one long run on a single note.
- Composer
- Traditional
- Level
- Beginner
- Key
- C major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Hands
- Right hand
What makes it tricky
- The long run of repeated E notes. Keep each one the same length and volume.
- Moving from D to C at the end of a phrase. Make sure the last note really is held.
A three-step practice plan
- Play only the first phrase, "Mary had a little lamb", until it is steady.
- Add the second phrase, then the ending.
- Play the whole tune at a slow, even speed before adding the left hand your book may include.