PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 9 keys

Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing easy piano by numbers

Felix Mendelssohn, Festgesang (1840), adapted by William H. Cummings (1855), words by Charles Wesley · 43 s · 75 notes · public domain

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 9 keys, about 43 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

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

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

Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing piano notes: G C C B C E E D · G G G F E D E G · C C B C E E D G …

The number sheet

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

1G·4C·4C·3B·4C·6E·6E·5D·
8G·8G·8G·7F·6E·5D·6E·1G·
4C·4C·3B·4C·6E·6E·5D·8G·
5D·5D·3B·3B·2A·1G·8G·8G·
8G·4C·7F·6E·6E·5D·8G·8G·
8G·4C·7F·6E·5D·9A·9A·9A·
8G·7F·6E·7F·5D·6E·7F·8G·
4C·4C·5D·6E·9A·9A·9A·8G·
7F·6E·7F·5D·6E·7F·8G·4C·
4C·5D·4C·

How to play Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing on the piano

A Christmas carol set to a tune from Mendelssohn's Festgesang, a piece written in 1840 to celebrate the invention of printing, adapted for the words of Charles Wesley in 1855. The original is in F major; here it is moved to C major, so it stays on white keys.

This easy version uses 9 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 75 notes, about 43 seconds at 116 BPM in 4/4 time. It has no words.

  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. 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
1GG3below middle C
2AA3below middle C
3BB3below middle C
4CC4middle C
5DD4above middle C
6EE4above middle C
7FF4above middle C
8GG4above middle C
9AA4above middle C

New to numbers? How piano numbers work · Where is middle C? · Know do re mi? The same keys in do re mi

Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G C C B C E E D

G G G F E D E G

C C B C E E D G

D D B B A G G G

G C F E E D G G

G C F E D A A A

G F E F D E F G

C C D E A A A G

F E F D E F G C

C D C

How to read piano letter notes

Questions

How do you play Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 9 keys: put a finger on key 1, G3, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 1 4 4 3 4 6 6 5 (in letter notes: G C C B C E E D). The whole song lasts about 43 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing?

9 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, 9 = A.

What are the first notes of Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing?

In numbers: 1 4 4 3 4 6 6 5. In letter notes: G C C B C E E D.

Is Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing free to play and share?

Yes. Mendelssohn · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is in the public domain (Felix Mendelssohn, Festgesang (1840), adapted by William H. Cummings (1855), words by Charles Wesley). 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 1–9 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 43 seconds at 116 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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