PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 6 keys

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

The tune, with its French words (Malbrough) · 23 s · 42 notes · public domain
33332
Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre,

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

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow piano notes: E E E E D E F · E D D D D C D E D C · E E E E D E F …

The number sheet

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

3EMal3Ebrough3Es'en3Eva2D-t-en3Eguer4Fre,
3Emi2Dron2Dton,2Dmi2Dron1Cton,2Dmi3Eron2Dtai1Cne,
3EMal3Ebrough3Es'en3Eva2D-t-en3Eguer4Fre,
5Gne3Esait1Cquand2Dre2Dvien1Cdra,
5Gne5Gsait5Gquand6Are6Avien5Gdra,
5Gne3Esait1Cquand2Dre2Dvien1Cdra.

How to play For He's a Jolly Good Fellow on the piano

The tune sung everywhere as "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" is the 18th-century French song "Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre"; here with its French words.

This easy version uses 6 white keys and the right hand only: 42 notes, about 23 seconds at 100 BPM in 6/8 time. The words are in French.

  1. Find key 1: C4 (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
1CC4middle C
2DD4above middle C
3EE4above middle C
4FF4above middle C
5GG4above middle C
6AA4above middle C

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E E E E D E F
Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre,

E D D D D C D E D C
mironton, mironton, mirontaine,

E E E E D E F
Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre,

G E C D D C
ne sait quand reviendra,

G G G A A G
ne sait quand reviendra,

G E C D D C
ne sait quand reviendra.

Questions

How many keys do I need for For He's a Jolly Good Fellow?

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

What are the first notes of For He's a Jolly Good Fellow?

In numbers: 3 3 3 3 2 3 4. In letter notes: E E E E D E F.

Is For He's a Jolly Good Fellow free to play and share?

Yes. For He's a Jolly Good Fellow is in the public domain (The tune, with its French words (Malbrough)). 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 1–6 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 23 seconds at 100 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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