Easy piano · 8 keys Start here · step 9 of 10

Happy Birthday easy piano by numbers

Q: How many keys do I need for Happy Birthday?

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

Q: What are the first notes of Happy Birthday?

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

Mildred and Patty Hill · 36 s · 50 notes · public domain

Happy Birthday is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 8 keys, about 36 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

On paper: the 25 easiest songs, in a printable book · 2 songs free to print

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Happy birthday to you,

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

Happy Birthday piano notes: G G A G C B · G G A G D C · G G G E C B A …

The number sheet

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

1GHap1Gpy2Abirth1Gday4Cto3Byou,

1Ghap1Gpy2Abirth1Gday5Dto4Cyou,

1Ghap1Gpy8Gbirth6Eday,4Cmy3Bdear2Afriend,

7Fhap7Fpy6Ebirth4Cday5Dto4Cyou!

1GHap1Gpy2Abirth1Gday4Cto3Byou,

1Ghap1Gpy2Abirth1Gday5Dto4Cyou,

1Ghap1Gpy8Gbirth6Eday,4Cmy3Bdear2Afriend,

7Fhap7Fpy6Ebirth4Cday5Dto4Cyou!

How to play Happy Birthday on the piano

The birthday song everyone knows. Its melody comes from "Good Morning to All", written by the sisters Mildred and Patty Hill in the 1890s; it has been in the public domain in the United States since 2016 and in Europe since 2017.

This easy version uses 8 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 50 notes, about 36 seconds at 90 BPM in 3/4 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.

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).

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	A	A3	below middle C
3	B	B3	below middle C
4	C	C4	middle C
5	D	D4	above middle C
6	E	E4	above middle C
7	F	F4	above middle C
8	G	G4	above middle C

Number

Note

Key

Where

below middle C

middle C

above middle C

Happy Birthday in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G G A G C B
Happy birthday to you,

G G A G D C
happy birthday to you,

G G G E C B A
happy birthday, my dear friend,

F F E C D C
happy birthday to you!

G G A G C B
Happy birthday to you,

G G A G D C
happy birthday to you,

G G G E C B A
happy birthday, my dear friend,

F F E C D C
happy birthday to you!

Questions

How do you play Happy Birthday on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 8 keys: put a finger on key 1, G3, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 1 1 2 1 4 3 (in letter notes: G G A G C B). The whole song lasts about 36 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Happy Birthday?

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

What are the first notes of Happy Birthday?

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

Is Happy Birthday free to play and share?

Yes. Happy Birthday is in the public domain (Mildred and Patty Hill). 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 36 seconds at 90 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

If you like Happy Birthday, try

Happy Birthday easy piano by numbers

The number sheet

How to play Happy Birthday on the piano

The keys

Happy Birthday in letter notes

Questions

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