How to play Oh! Susanna on piano

Stephen Foster's banjo song in a bouncy 2/4, three times through verse and chorus, over an alternating root-fifth bass. Learn it step by step in your browser: the music waits for you on every note, then you speed it up.

The first notes

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

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

• Happy Birthday to You Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill
• Hot Cross Buns Traditional
• London Bridge Traditional
• Mary Had a Little Lamb Traditional
• Ode to Joy Ludwig van Beethoven
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm Traditional
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Traditional (French melody)

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