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Easy piano · 5 keys

Offenbach · Barcarolle easy piano by numbers

Jacques Offenbach, The Tales of Hoffmann, Barcarolle (1881) · 26 s · 43 notes · public domain

Barcarolle is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 5 keys, about 26 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

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

Offenbach · Barcarolle piano notes: E F F E E D F F · E E D F F E E E · F F E E D F F E …

The number sheet

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

2E·3F·3F·2E·2E·1D·3F·3F·
2E·2E·1D·3F·3F·2E·2E·2E·
3F·3F·2E·2E·1D·3F·3F·2E·
2E·1D·3F·3F·2E·2E·4G·5A·
5A·4G·4G·5A·5A·4G·4G·3F·
3F·2E·2E·

How to play Offenbach · Barcarolle on the piano

The gently rocking boat song from Offenbach's opera The Tales of Hoffmann, first performed in 1881, the melody of Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour. The original is in D major (or other keys); here it is moved to C major, so it stays on white keys.

This easy version uses 5 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 43 notes, about 26 seconds at 84 BPM in 6/8 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: D4 (above 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. Want the rhythm too? Press 🌧 Falling notes: each note falls onto its key, and its length shows how long to hold it (how falling notes work).
  5. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1DD4above middle C
2EE4above middle C
3FF4above middle C
4GG4above middle C
5AA4above middle C

Offenbach · Barcarolle in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E F F E E D F F

E E D F F E E E

F F E E D F F E

E D F F E E G A

A G G A A G G F

F E E

Questions

How do you play Offenbach · Barcarolle on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 5 keys: put a finger on key 1, D4, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 2 3 3 2 2 1 3 3 (in letter notes: E F F E E D F F). The whole song lasts about 26 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Offenbach · Barcarolle?

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

What are the first notes of Offenbach · Barcarolle?

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

Is Offenbach · Barcarolle free to play and share?

Yes. Offenbach · Barcarolle is in the public domain (Jacques Offenbach, The Tales of Hoffmann, Barcarolle (1881)). 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 1–5 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 26 seconds at 84 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

More by Jacques Offenbach

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If you like Barcarolle, try

Ode to Joy

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1824)

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Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Mozart, Serenade No. 13 K.525 (1787)

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Papageno (The Magic Flute)

Mozart, The Magic Flute K.620 (1791), words by Schikaneder

Easy7 keys22 s

Tchaikovsky · Swan Lake

Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake (1876)

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