PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 7 keys

Cadet Rousselle

French folk song · 50 s · 128 notes · public domain
12344
Cadet Rousselle a trois maisons,

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

Cadet Rousselle piano notes: G A B C C C E C · D D D D C B A G · G A B C C C E C …

The number sheet

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

1GCa2Adet3BRous4Cselle4Ca4Ctrois6Emai4Csons,
5DCa5Ddet5DRous5Dselle4Ca3Btrois2Amai1Gsons,
1Gqui2An'ont3Bni4Cpou4Ctres4Cni6Eche4Cvrons,
5Dqui5Dn'ont5Dni5Dpou4Ctres3Bni2Ache1Gvrons.
5DC'est5Dpour5Dlo5Dger6Eles7Fhi6Eron6Edel5Dles,
5Dque5Ddi5Drez5D-vous6Ed'Ca7Fdet6ERous6Esel5Dle ?
4CAh !4CAh !4CAh !3BOui2Avrai1Gment,
4CCa3Bdet4CRous5Dselle5Dest4Cbon3Ben4Cfant !
1GCa2Adet3BRous4Cselle4Ca4Ctrois6Eha4Cbits,
5DCa5Ddet5DRous5Dselle4Ca3Btrois2Aha1Gbits,
1Gdeux2Ajau3Bnes,4Cl'au4Ctre en4Cpa6Epier4Cgris,
5Ddeux5Djau5Dnes,5Dl'au4Ctre en3Bpa2Apier1Ggris.
5DIl5Dmet5Dce5Dlui6E-là7Fquand6Eil6Egè5Dle,
5Dou5Dquand5Dil5Dpleut6Eou7Fquand6Eil6Egrê5Dle.
4CAh !4CAh !4CAh !3BOui2Avrai1Gment,
4CCa3Bdet4CRous5Dselle5Dest4Cbon3Ben4Cfant !

How to play Cadet Rousselle on the piano

A French folk song from the late 18th century about Cadet Rousselle, a man who has three of everything, in 6/8 time.

This easy version uses 7 white keys and the right hand only: 128 notes, about 50 seconds at 120 BPM in 6/8 time. The words are in French.

  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
3BB3below middle C
4CC4middle C
5DD4above middle C
6EE4above middle C
7FF4above middle C

Cadet Rousselle in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G A B C C C E C
Cadet Rousselle a trois maisons,

D D D D C B A G
Cadet Rousselle a trois maisons,

G A B C C C E C
qui n'ont ni poutres ni chevrons,

D D D D C B A G
qui n'ont ni poutres ni chevrons.

D D D D E F E E D
C'est pour loger les hirondelles,

D D D D E F E E D
que direz-vous d'Cadet Rousselle ?

C C C B A G
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Oui vraiment,

C B C D D C B C
Cadet Rousselle est bon enfant !

G A B C C C E C
Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,

D D D D C B A G
Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,

G A B C C C E C
deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris,

D D D D C B A G
deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris.

D D D D E F E E D
Il met celui-là quand il gèle,

D D D D E F E E D
ou quand il pleut ou quand il grêle.

C C C B A G
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Oui vraiment,

C B C D D C B C
Cadet Rousselle est bon enfant !

Questions

How many keys do I need for Cadet Rousselle?

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

What are the first notes of Cadet Rousselle?

In numbers: 1 2 3 4 4 4 6 4. In letter notes: G A B C C C E C.

Is Cadet Rousselle free to play and share?

Yes. Cadet Rousselle 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 1–7 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 50 seconds at 120 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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