Easy piano · 7 keys

Brother John (Frère Jacques)

Q: How many keys do I need for Brother John (Frère Jacques)?

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

Q: What are the first notes of Brother John (Frère Jacques)?

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

French round · 38 s · 64 notes · public domain

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Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,

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

Brother John (Frère Jacques) piano notes: C D E C C D E C · E F G E F G · G A G F E C G A G F E C …

The number sheet

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

2CAre3Dyou4Esleep2Cing,2Care3Dyou4Esleep2Cing,

4EBroth5Fer6GJohn?4EBroth5Fer6GJohn?

6GMor7Aning6Gbells5Fare4Ering2Cing,6Gmor7Aning6Gbells5Fare4Ering2Cing,

2Cding,1Gdang,2Cdong!2CDing,1Gdang,2Cdong!

2CAre3Dyou4Esleep2Cing,2Care3Dyou4Esleep2Cing,

4EBroth5Fer6GJohn?4EBroth5Fer6GJohn?

6GMor7Aning6Gbells5Fare4Ering2Cing,6Gmor7Aning6Gbells5Fare4Ering2Cing,

2Cding,1Gdang,2Cdong!2CDing,1Gdang,2Cdong!

How to play Brother John (Frère Jacques) on the piano

A French round from the 18th century, known in English as "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?". As a round, several people can play it together, each starting two bars after the other.

This easy version uses 7 white keys and the right hand only: 64 notes, about 38 seconds at 100 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in English.

Find key 1: G3 (below 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	G	G3	below middle C
2	C	C4	middle C
3	D	D4	above middle C
4	E	E4	above middle C
5	F	F4	above middle C
6	G	G4	above middle C
7	A	A4	above middle C

Number

Note

Key

Where

below middle C

middle C

above middle C

Brother John (Frère Jacques) in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

C D E C C D E C
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,

E F G E F G
Brother John? Brother John?

G A G F E C G A G F E C
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing,

C G C C G C
ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong!

C D E C C D E C
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,

E F G E F G
Brother John? Brother John?

G A G F E C G A G F E C
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing,

C G C C G C
ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong!

Questions

How many keys do I need for Brother John (Frère Jacques)?

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

What are the first notes of Brother John (Frère Jacques)?

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

Is Brother John (Frère Jacques) free to play and share?

Yes. Brother John (Frère Jacques) is in the public domain (French round). 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 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

Brother John (Frère Jacques)

The number sheet

How to play Brother John (Frère Jacques) on the piano

The keys