Easy piano · 4 keys

À la claire fontaine

Q: How many keys do I need for À la claire fontaine?

4 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = C, 2 = D, 3 = E, 4 = G.

Q: What are the first notes of À la claire fontaine?

In numbers: 1 1 3 3 2 3 1. In letter notes: C C E E D E C.

French folk song · 38 s · 84 notes · public domain

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À la claire fontaine

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

À la claire fontaine piano notes: C C E E D E C · C C E E D E · E E D C E G E …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

1CÀ1Cla3Eclai3Ere2Dfon3Etai1Cne

1Cm'en1Cal3Elant3Epro2Dme3Ener,

3Ej'ai3Etrou2Dvé1Cl'eau3Esi4Gbel3Ele

4Gque4Gje3Em'y1Csuis3Ebai2Dgné.

1CIl1Cy1Ca3Elong3Etemps2Dque1Cje3Et'ai1Cme,

3Eja3Emais2Dje1Cne3Et'ou2Dblie1Crai.

1CSous1Cles3Efeuil3Eles2Dd'un3Echê1Cne

1Cje1Cme3Esuis3Efait2Dsé3Echer,

3Esur3Ela2Dplus1Chau3Ete4Gbran3Eche

4Gun4Gros3Esi1Cgnol3Echan2Dtait.

1CIl1Cy1Ca3Elong3Etemps2Dque1Cje3Et'ai1Cme,

3Eja3Emais2Dje1Cne3Et'ou2Dblie1Crai.

How to play À la claire fontaine on the piano

A French folk song, much loved in Quebec, where it long served as an unofficial anthem. With only four keys, it is a gentle first song.

This easy version uses 4 white keys and the right hand only: 84 notes, about 38 seconds at 100 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in French.

Find key 1: C4 (middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.

Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.

Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.

Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

Number	Note	Key	Where
1	C	C4	middle C
2	D	D4	above middle C
3	E	E4	above middle C
4	G	G4	above middle C

Number

Note

Key

Where

middle C

above middle C

À la claire fontaine in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

C C E E D E C
À la claire fontaine

C C E E D E
m'en allant promener,

E E D C E G E
j'ai trouvé l'eau si belle

G G E C E D
que je m'y suis baigné.

C C C E E D C E C
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime,

E E D C E D C
jamais je ne t'oublierai.

C C E E D E C
Sous les feuilles d'un chêne

C C E E D E
je me suis fait sécher,

E E D C E G E
sur la plus haute branche

G G E C E D
un rossignol chantait.

C C C E E D C E C
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime,

E E D C E D C
jamais je ne t'oublierai.

Questions

How many keys do I need for À la claire fontaine?

4 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = C, 2 = D, 3 = E, 4 = G.

What are the first notes of À la claire fontaine?

In numbers: 1 1 3 3 2 3 1. In letter notes: C C E E D E C.

Is À la claire fontaine free to play and share?

Yes. À la claire fontaine is in the public domain (French folk song). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–4 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 38 seconds at 100 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

More easy songs

À la claire fontaine

The number sheet

How to play À la claire fontaine on the piano

The keys