Early intermediate piece
How to play When the Saints Go Marching In on piano
An American spiritual that became a jazz standard. In piano books it is usually a short, bouncy tune that introduces a lift (a pickup) and a repeated rhythm.
- Composer
- Traditional
- Level
- Early intermediate
- Key
- C major in most books
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Hands
- Right hand, then both
What makes it tricky
- The opening pickup of three notes. Count 1 2 3 and start on four.
- The held note in the second phrase. Keep it for the full length before moving.
- Keeping a steady beat, because the tune feels like it wants to speed up.
A three-step practice plan
- Tap the rhythm while you say the words.
- Play the first phrase until it is steady, then the second.
- Try a slow, even run of the whole tune, then increase the tempo a little.