How to play Happy Birthday to You on piano

The world's favourite party song in 3/4, played twice through, with a dotted pickup and single bass notes in C position. Learn it step by step in your browser: the music waits for you on every note, then you speed it up.

Play Happy Birthday to You free in your browser

Works with a MIDI keyboard, the on-screen keys or your computer keyboard.

Level1 of 5
ComposerMildred J. Hill & Patty Hill
KeyC major
Time signature3/4
Tempo90 bpm
HandsBoth hands
VersionFull song
AccessFree

The first notes

Right hand, first bars. The small numbers are finger numbers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).

G1G1|A2G1C4|B3G1G1|A2G1D5

In the app you see these notes falling onto the keyboard and on sheet music at the same time, with the right key lit up.

How to learn it fast

  1. Listen first: Listen mode plays the whole piece.
  2. Learn mode: the music stops and waits until you press the right key, one hand at a time.
  3. Play mode at 60–70% speed: real-time feedback on every note, early or late.
  4. Loop the hard bars: the coach finds them for you and speeds them up as you improve.
  5. Hands together at full speed.

New to piano? This song fits best after Unit 2: Right Hand in C Position of the free course path.

More songs at level 1

Works on phone, tablet and computer. Free to start, no download.

Play Happy Birthday to You free in your browser