PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 8 keys

Auld Lang Syne

Scottish tune, words by Robert Burns (1788) · 44 s · 56 notes · public domain
13335
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

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

Auld Lang Syne piano notes: G C C C E D C D · E C C E G A · A G E E C D C D …

The number sheet

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

1GShould3Cauld3Cac3Cquain5Etance4Dbe3Cfor4Dgot,
5Eand3Cnev3Cer5Ebrought6Gto7Amind?
7AShould6Gauld5Eac5Equain3Ctance4Dbe3Cfor4Dgot,
5Eand3Cauld2A·2Alang1G·3Csyne?
7AFor6Gauld5E·5Elang3C·4Dsyne,3Cmy4Djo,
7Afor6Gauld5E·5Elang6G·7Asyne,
8Cwe'll6Gtak'5Ea5Ecup3Co'4Dkind3Cness4Dyet,
5Efor3Cauld2A·2Alang1G·3Csyne.

How to play Auld Lang Syne on the piano

The Scottish song sung all over the world at New Year and at farewells, on Robert Burns's words (1788), to a traditional tune first printed in 1799. It uses only five notes of the scale.

This easy version uses 8 white keys and the right hand only: 56 notes, about 44 seconds at 92 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in Scots.

  1. Find key 1: G3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1GG3below middle C
2AA3below middle C
3CC4middle C
4DD4above middle C
5EE4above middle C
6GG4above middle C
7AA4above middle C
8CC5above middle C

Auld Lang Syne in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G C C C E D C D
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

E C C E G A
and never brought to mind?

A G E E C D C D
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

E C A A G C
and auldlangsyne?

A G E E C D C D
For auldlangsyne, my jo,

A G E E G A
for auldlangsyne,

C G E E C D C D
we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

E C A A G C
for auldlangsyne.

Questions

How many keys do I need for Auld Lang Syne?

8 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = A, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = E, 6 = G, 7 = A, 8 = C.

What are the first notes of Auld Lang Syne?

In numbers: 1 3 3 3 5 4 3 4. In letter notes: G C C C E D C D.

Is Auld Lang Syne free to play and share?

Yes. Auld Lang Syne is in the public domain (Scottish tune, words by Robert Burns (1788)). 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 1–8 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 44 seconds at 92 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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